Two very different food-related emergencies have made international headlines this month — one involving a Chinese grandmother who swallowed live frogs to treat back pain, and another featuring a British truck driver who ate over 10,000 calories in gummy candies.
Both learned the hard way that not everything that goes into your stomach belongs there.
Chinese Woman Eats Live Frogs for “Pain Relief”
In one shocking case from Hangzhou, China, an elderly woman named Zhang reportedly consumed eight live frogs over two days after hearing a rumor that it could relieve back pain.
According to Oddity Central, Zhang asked her relatives to catch the frogs but never told them what she planned to do with them. She swallowed five frogs on the first day and three more the next.
Soon after, Zhang developed severe stomach pain and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered that her unusual remedy had caused serious internal damage and introduced parasites into her system.
“Swallowing live frogs damaged the patient’s digestive system and allowed parasites to enter her system,” one physician said, confirming that Zhang was suffering from a Sparganum tapeworm infection.
After two weeks of treatment, Zhang recovered and was discharged — reportedly vowing never to try folk “cures” again.
British Man’s 10,000-Calorie Candy Binge
Meanwhile, in Yorkshire, England, 33-year-old truck driver Nathan Rimington landed in the hospital after devouring a 6.6-pound bag of Haribo cola bottle gummies — roughly 10,461 calories — in just three evenings.
Rimington’s sweet binge, reported by the Manchester Evening News, soon turned sour. A few days later, he developed excruciating stomach cramps that sent him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with diverticulitis caused by excessive gelatin consumption.
“It was my own stupid fault. I’ve not eaten a cola bottle since,” Rimington admitted after being treated with six days of IV fluids.
Doctors said the sheer amount of gelatin from the gummies likely irritated his intestines, leading to inflammation and infection.
Lessons From Two Extreme Cases
While both stories might sound like bizarre internet tales, doctors say they highlight an important truth — the body isn’t built for everything we choose to consume.
Here are a few simple reminders:
- Avoid home remedies without medical guidance — even seemingly harmless ones can be dangerous.
- Don’t consume large quantities of one type of food, especially highly processed or raw animal material.
- Seek medical advice early when pain, nausea, or fever follow any unusual diet or behavior.
- Be skeptical of health “cures” that circulate through word-of-mouth or social media.
Zhang and Rimington have both since recovered — and both now share one simple lesson: when it comes to extreme eating, don’t try this at home.
What’s your reaction to these strange hospital cases? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
