BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts teen Participated in the Spicy Tortilla Chips Challenge The man on social media died from ingesting large amounts of chili pepper extract and also suffered from a congenital heart defect, according to autopsy results obtained by The Associated Press.
Harris Worober, a 10th grade student from Worcester, died on Sept. 1, 2023, after eating chips made by Paki, a Texas-based subsidiary of Hershey.
paki pulled the product It disappeared from store shelves shortly after Harris' death. The Associated Press sent an email to Hershey on Thursday seeking comment.
According to the medical examiner's office, Harris died of cardiopulmonary arrest “as a result of recent ingestion of food containing high levels of capsaicin.” Capsaicin is the ingredient that gives chili peppers their spiciness.
The autopsy also revealed that Wolover had cardiomegaly, meaning enlargement of the heart, and a congenital defect called “myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery.''
Dr. James Yudelson, chief of cardiology at Tufts Medical Center, said myocardial bridging occurs when part of the heart's main artery travels within the heart muscle rather than on its surface.
“When the heart is stimulated to a large extent, the muscles across the bridge suddenly develop abnormal blood flow ('ischemia'), which may have caused serious arrhythmias,” Udelson told the AP. Yes,” he said in an email. “Acute toxicity of capsaicin causing myocardial ischemia has been reported.”
Dr. Saeed Haider, a cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, said that taking large amounts of capsaicin can increase the pressure on the heart and put extra pressure on the arteries.
However, while autopsy results suggest that Harris' heart defect may have made her more susceptible to the harmful effects of chili extract, even people with no underlying risk factors may be exposed to large amounts of capsaicin. People can experience serious heart problems if ingested, Haider said.
Mr. Udelson and Mr. Haider both spoke in general terms. Neither was involved in Harris' case.
Harris' cause of death was determined on February 27, and the death certificate was released to the Worcester City Clerk's Office on March 5, said Elaine Driscoll, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. The state released only the cause and manner of death. He said the agency would not release the entire report, but it would not be considered part of the public record.
Paki chips are sold individually for about $10 and come wrapped in foil in a coffin-shaped box with a warning that they are intended for “vengeful pleasure with intense heat and pain.” was. The warning stated that the chips were intended for adult consumption only and should be kept out of reach of children.
Despite the warnings, children were buying crisps without incident, and there were reports of teenagers from around the country falling ill after taking part in chip-eating challenges. Those include three California high school students who were taken to the hospital and seven Minnesota high school students who were treated by paramedics after participating in the 2022 Challenge.
The challenge required participants to eat paki chips to see how long they could survive without consuming other food or water. Sales of the chip appear to be largely driven by videos people post on social media of themselves or their friends trying. They showed people, including children, opening packages, eating potato chips, and then reacting to fever. Some videos showed people gagging, coughing and begging for water.
Spicy food challenges have been around for years. From local chili-eating contests to the restaurant's wall of fame for finishing a super-spicy dish, people around the world are daring each other to eat particularly spicy foods, and some experts believe that internal competition and risk-taking are He points out the rush.
A YouTube series called “Hot Ones” shot to internet fame a few years ago with videos of celebrities' reactions to spicy chicken wings. Meanwhile, restaurants across the country are offering in-person challenges, from the “Blazin' Challenge” at Buffalo His Wild His Wings to the “Hell Challenge” at Wings His King in Las Vegas. In both challenges, patrons 18 and older can try to eat a certain amount of chicken wings with extra hot sauce for a limited time without drinking or eating any other food. . Chili pepper eating contests are also held regularly around the world.
Extremely spicy products can be created, sold, and even become internet famous just to solve a problem, a recent phenomenon made worse by social media.
Following Harris' death, Massachusetts authorities and doctors warned that eating such spicy foods could have unintended consequences. Since the chip epidemic, poison control centers have warned that concentrated amounts can cause allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeats and even heart attacks and strokes.
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This article has been edited to follow AP style. It's chili, not chili.
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AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Washington and AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report.
