Milk chugging
Encyclopedia
Milk chugging, or gallon challenge, is the process of consuming a large amount of milk within a set period of time. Although there are variations in procedure, many adherents follow to the mostly general parameters; a person is given 60 minutes to drink a full gallon
of whole milk without vomiting
.
television series Jackass
, where Dave England
and Ehren McGhehey
were featured in a gallon challenge segment. Filmed in Portland, Oregon
in the year 2000, contestants were to consume one gallon of milk in an hour in a variety of flavors, which resulted in each participant vomiting. The show has been largely held responsible for teens and young adults copycatting the stunts that they perform, although a disclaimer is presented at the beginning of each show.
have traditionally hosted an annual gallon challenge, four Rutgers fraternities host challenges for fundraisers, some MIT students celebrated the 4th of July
with a challenge, as well as many other official and unofficial gallon challenges. In 2008, several members of a fraternity in Arizona
participating in a "milk-chug" were arrested for causing a car accident after vomiting into traffic below the bridge they were competing on.
Peter Ubriaco founded the non-profit Gallon Challenge Foundation in 2004, formalizing a local gallon challenge contest held since 2000. The organization raised donations during the yearly challenge for food and health related organizations; after their 2006 challenge in held in New York City, they donated to the Food Allergy Initiative
, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for the treatment and cure of food allergies.
The act of milk-chugging has also been the centerpiece for a photographer and artists' show in 2005, where he featured an image entitled "Milk Chuggers", and a video called "the Milk Chugger", where he films himself drinking milk until he vomits.
In 2009, Jimmy Fallon
held a milk chugging contest on NBC's “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”, with guests Helio Castroneves
, Ryan Briscoe
and Dario Franchitti
. On the broadcast, Fallon wore a rain poncho and drank chocolate milk
, while the drivers drank regular milk. Also in 2009, and again in 2010, North Carolina
members of the General Assembly
, which included Bob Atwater
, William Brisson
, Andrew Brock, Dewey Hill, Joe Sam Queen
and Arthur Williams
, competed in a milk-chugging contest, held at North Portico of the Legislative Building in Raleigh, to raise awareness in the dairy industry. Winners of the contest would receive money to donate to a charity of their choice.
at North Carolina State University
, comments that the primary difficulty in completing the challenge lies in the limited capacity of the stomach
. Generally, the stomach can hold only half a gallon. Stretch receptor
s in the organ sense when its limit is reached, triggering a vomit reflex. Moreover, drinking a gallon of milk is more difficult than drinking a gallon of water. The fat
and protein in milk both inhibit the stomach from releasing its contents into the small intestine
, forcing more of the liquid to remain in the stomach. Milk is also preferred to water, because of the risk of water intoxication
.
It is often claimed that the difficulty is related to lactose intolerance
: the inability of many people to metabolize
lactose
, a major component of milk. Ash finds this theory unlikely, as the symptoms of lactose intolerance occur in the large intestine
, rather than the stomach.
Gallon
The gallon is a measure of volume. Historically it has had many different definitions, but there are three definitions in current use: the imperial gallon which is used in the United Kingdom and semi-officially within Canada, the United States liquid gallon and the lesser used United States dry...
of whole milk without vomiting
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...
.
History
The first recorded occurrences of competitive milk chugging date back to the early 1997> where there are several explanations for the origins of the challenge. Undoubtedly, the most highly publicized competition was one that was featured in episode 5 of Season 2 of the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series Jackass
Jackass (TV series)
jackass is an American reality series, originally shown on MTV from 2000 to 2002, featuring people performing various dangerous, crude, ridiculous, self-injuring stunts and pranks...
, where Dave England
Dave England
Dave England is an American daredevil stunt performer and former professional snowboarder who is known for appearing on the MTV series Jackass, as well as the films Jackass: The Movie, Jackass: Number Two, and Jackass 3D.-Life and career:Johnny Knoxville stated on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart...
and Ehren McGhehey
Ehren McGhehey
Ehren McGhehey is an American daredevil and actor. He is best known as a star of the MTV series Jackass and its subsequent films.-Jackass:After McGhehey retired from snowboarding due to injury, he got a job at a skate shop in Portland...
were featured in a gallon challenge segment. Filmed in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in the year 2000, contestants were to consume one gallon of milk in an hour in a variety of flavors, which resulted in each participant vomiting. The show has been largely held responsible for teens and young adults copycatting the stunts that they perform, although a disclaimer is presented at the beginning of each show.
Rise to fame
Regardless of the exact origin, milk chugging had gained popularity and a following, especially in the United States. The rumors of its impossibility, as well as media coverage have led to the appeal among high school and college students, as well as celebrities and state senators. The notion of a Gallon Challenge does not implicitly mean a gallon of milk and can be substituted for a gallon of a consumable liquid, such as water, yet milk remains what is most closely associated with the term. Though virtually all cases result in vomiting, some participants find the activity fun.Rules
There are three universal rules in what has been called the Gallon Challenge, although some minor variations may exist.- The contestant has one hour to drink one U.S. liquid gallon of milk.
- Should the contestant finish the gallon within that hour, they must retain the gallon for a set period of time.
- Should they retain the gallon, they win. Otherwise, if the contestant vomits prior to the set period of time has passed, they lose.
Variations
- There may be no eating during the hour of ingestion.
Legacy
Many high school and college students hold their own challenges: Phi Delta Tau, at the Central College in Pella, IowaPella, Iowa
Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.- History :...
have traditionally hosted an annual gallon challenge, four Rutgers fraternities host challenges for fundraisers, some MIT students celebrated the 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
with a challenge, as well as many other official and unofficial gallon challenges. In 2008, several members of a fraternity in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
participating in a "milk-chug" were arrested for causing a car accident after vomiting into traffic below the bridge they were competing on.
Peter Ubriaco founded the non-profit Gallon Challenge Foundation in 2004, formalizing a local gallon challenge contest held since 2000. The organization raised donations during the yearly challenge for food and health related organizations; after their 2006 challenge in held in New York City, they donated to the Food Allergy Initiative
Food Allergy Initiative
The Food Allergy Initiative is a 501 non-profit organization founded in 1998 with the mission to fund food allergy research that seeks a cure, to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to keep patients safe through advocacy and education. FAI is the largest private source of funding for food...
, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for the treatment and cure of food allergies.
The act of milk-chugging has also been the centerpiece for a photographer and artists' show in 2005, where he featured an image entitled "Milk Chuggers", and a video called "the Milk Chugger", where he films himself drinking milk until he vomits.
In 2009, Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon
James Thomas "Jimmy" Fallon, Jr. is an American actor, comedian, singer, musician and television host. He currently hosts Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a late-night talk show that airs Monday through Friday on NBC...
held a milk chugging contest on NBC's “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”, with guests Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...
, Ryan Briscoe
Ryan Briscoe
Ryan Briscoe is an Australian auto racing driver who has raced open wheel and sports cars in Europe and America.In addition to his native English, Briscoe speaks Italian and French...
and Dario Franchitti
Dario Franchitti
George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing...
. On the broadcast, Fallon wore a rain poncho and drank chocolate milk
Chocolate milk
Chocolate milk is a sweetened, usually cold, cocoa-flavored milk drink. It is created when chocolate syrup is mixed with milk . It can be purchased pre-mixed or made at home with either cocoa powder and a sweetener , or with melted chocolate, chocolate syrup, or chocolate milk mix...
, while the drivers drank regular milk. Also in 2009, and again in 2010, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
members of the General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
, which included Bob Atwater
Bob Atwater
Robert "Bob" Atwater is a Democratic member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the 18th district since 2005.-External links:** official NC Senate website** profile*Follow the Money - Bob Atwater** campaign contributions...
, William Brisson
William Brisson
William D. Brisson is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing the state's 22nd House district since 2006.-External links:* official NC House website* profile*Follow the Money - William Brisson...
, Andrew Brock, Dewey Hill, Joe Sam Queen
Joe Sam Queen
Joe Sam Queen was the senator to the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's forty-seventh Senate district, including constituents in Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties from 2007 till 2011...
and Arthur Williams
Arthur Williams
Arthur or Art Williams may refer to:*Arthur Williams , actor*Arthur Williams , Anglican colonial bishop*Arthur Williams , American boxer*Arthur Williams...
, competed in a milk-chugging contest, held at North Portico of the Legislative Building in Raleigh, to raise awareness in the dairy industry. Winners of the contest would receive money to donate to a charity of their choice.
Medical explanation
Sarah Ash, a professor of nutritionNutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
, comments that the primary difficulty in completing the challenge lies in the limited capacity of the stomach
Stomach
The stomach is a muscular, hollow, dilated part of the alimentary canal which functions as an important organ of the digestive tract in some animals, including vertebrates, echinoderms, insects , and molluscs. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication .The stomach is...
. Generally, the stomach can hold only half a gallon. Stretch receptor
Stretch receptor
Stretch receptors are mechanoreceptors responsive to distention of various organs and muscles, and are neurologically linked to the medulla in the brain stem via afferent nerve fibers...
s in the organ sense when its limit is reached, triggering a vomit reflex. Moreover, drinking a gallon of milk is more difficult than drinking a gallon of water. The fat
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
and protein in milk both inhibit the stomach from releasing its contents into the small intestine
Small intestine
The small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach and followed by the large intestine, and is where much of the digestion and absorption of food takes place. In invertebrates such as worms, the terms "gastrointestinal tract" and "large intestine" are often used to...
, forcing more of the liquid to remain in the stomach. Milk is also preferred to water, because of the risk of water intoxication
Water intoxication
Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside of safe limits by over-consumption of water....
.
It is often claimed that the difficulty is related to lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance, also called lactase deficiency or hypolactasia, is the inability to digest and metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk...
: the inability of many people to metabolize
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
lactose
Lactose
Lactose is a disaccharide sugar that is found most notably in milk and is formed from galactose and glucose. Lactose makes up around 2~8% of milk , although the amount varies among species and individuals. It is extracted from sweet or sour whey. The name comes from or , the Latin word for milk,...
, a major component of milk. Ash finds this theory unlikely, as the symptoms of lactose intolerance occur in the large intestine
Large intestine
The large intestine is the third-to-last part of the digestive system — — in vertebrate animals. Its function is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food matter, and then to pass useless waste material from the body...
, rather than the stomach.