Okay, Now Research Whether They're Sandwiches

It's a little late for the Nathan's contest this year, but a scientist -- actually, he's a veterinarian as well as an exercise scientist -- says he's mathematically determined a maximum for how many hot dogs a human can eat in 10 minutes: 83. He used math to calculate pace and consumption for several species, and while humans (Joey Chestnut at 7.5 per minute) can't outpace bears (8), they can outlast them, because bears' pace slows after six minutes. We're way behind the Burmese python, though. And there are some who contend that these numbers don't properly account for pacing in a competition. But 83's your target. Or you could not eat 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes and live a healthier, happier life. Your choice. (New York Times)

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