TikTok’s Packing Peanut Trend Isn’t Just Gross – It’s Bad for Your Guts, GP Warns

Close-up of packing peanuts.In the latest TikTok culinary craze, users have taken to snacking on packing peanuts. Yes. Packing peanuts. One user said: “I promise I wouldn’t be eating them if they weren’t good. “They’re made of rice starch. I eat them with Old Bay and Everything Bagel seasoning. They’re not going to hurt you.”We’re not convinced, and neither is Dr Masarat Jilani, a GP at Jude, who says: “As silly stunts for social media go, this might not be quite as dangerous as eating Tide Pods, but it is still extremely unsafe to consume packing materials.“Although some types from sustainable businesses may be made from biodegradable starch or even popcorn, many still contain synthetic materials that are not safe for consumption.”The health risks of eating packing peanutsChoking hazardPacking peanuts, Dr. Jilani urges, regardless of what they are made from, are not designed for human consumption.“This means that they pose a significant choking risk, particularly for children, especially if inhaled or swallowed without chewing the material properly.”Digestive blockages“Although many packing peanuts are made from starch-based materials, many are designed to expand when they come into contact with moisture.“This could lead to blockages in the digestive system, potentially requiring medical intervention such as surgical removal or manual disimpaction, which is as unpleasant as it sounds.”Ouch.Chemical contaminationNot all packing peanuts are biodegradable, Dr. Jiliani warns, and in fact, some cheaper materials may contain synthetic substances such as polystyrene.“It goes without saying that these are non-digestible and could introduce harmful chemicals into the body.“Even biodegradable varieties, or seemingly food-safe packing materials such as popcorn, are not produced or handled in food-safe environments and may carry dangerous chemical contaminants.”Allergic reactionsFinally, the GP urges that some packing peanuts contain corn or wheat starch, which could trigger allergic reactions in individuals with sensitivities.“You’d never know this, as these items are not designed as food, so there is no ingredients list with emboldened allergens.”Plus, we bet they taste horrible.Related...Health Experts Have A Warning About Your Protein-Packed SnacksSocial Media Is Obsessed With Beef Tallow. Experts Reveal If It's Really That Healthy.Men Are Trimming Their Eyelashes To Be Shorter, And The Reason Is Baffling

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