Can the stomach actually burst from overeating? Or do some people consume such enormous amounts of food that it could lead to a "stomach explosion"? The answer is yes, or at least it is certainly possible, according to health experts. Courtney Calamar, a nutritionist at Piedmont Henry Hospital, stated, "The exact amount varies from person to person. However, the average adult's stomach holds about one liter of food (approximately four cups)," as reported by the British newspaper "Daily Mail."
She continued, "Since the stomach is highly flexible, it can accommodate up to three to four liters (or 16 cups) at once." Calamar explained, "It takes the brain about 20 minutes to register fullness. For some, by the time their brain registers that they are full, they may have already consumed a significantly higher amount than what is needed to feel satisfied." However, Teresa Strong, the director of research programs at the Prader-Willi Research Foundation, said that "explosion" is not a very accurate description.
She noted, "The contents of the stomach won't burst like a water balloon; instead, the stomach wall stretches to the point of rupture." She added, "The images that come to my mind are quite dramatic and inaccurate, as the stomach wall stretches to the point where there is necrosis and/or tearing."
