Why do people eat peanuts? The latest Tikok trend raises health concerns

Last updated:March 13, 2025, 20:47 is

A new Tikok trend is to eat thermocol. Experts warn that it represents serious health risks, including gastrointestinal blockages, even if it is biodegradable.

Thermocol, a material that many of us have encountered since childhood, is mainly used for a variety of purposes, from the production of school projects to packing goods for e-commerce companies. However, a disturbing new trend is to follow on social media platforms, especially on Tikok, where users are seen, how to eat Thermocol parts, which are sometimes immersed in Chutney. But is it certain to consume this common packaging material? Experts warn that this practice could represent serious health risks.

Thermocol, also known in many countries as a polystyrene foam or “packaging of peanuts”, is a light, often biodegradable material that is widespread in the packaging. The trend of eating these packaging peanuts quickly won. Eat and could even serve as a midnight snack.

The logic behind this faith is based on the fact that certain biodegradable packaging palces collapse in a natural way and some cause them to be consumed without damage. In fact, many videos on Tikkok even show these packaging peanuts that dissolve in water, which continues to fuel the misunderstanding that they are completely safe. This has triggered widespread curiosity, considering some spectators to eat thermocol as an alternative to traditional snacks.

However, experts make alarms about the potential dangers of the Thermocol consumer, regardless of their alleged biological degradation. According to experts on site, this is, although some packs are biodegradable, they are not safe for human consumption. Dr. Aditi Sharma, a leading toxicologist, emphasized that biodegradable packaging, although they naturally collapse, can still be a significant health risk. “Thermocol is not intended for human consumption, and the food can lead to serious complications, including the gastrointestinal blockades,” she warned.

One of the main concerns is the inability of the material to be properly digested by the human body. Most packs consist of a kind of styrofoam, a material that does not break off in the digestive system. In a recently published report, the National Capital Poison Center clarified that styrofoam is not poisonous, but is not dissolved or digested. It can go through the digestive system, but there is a serious risk that it gets stuck in the intestine, which may lead to painful blockages or other complications.

In addition, health experts emphasize that biodegradable thermocol over time in natural environments is not suitable for admission, since it still represents risks if it is consumed in large quantities. The materials used to produce thermocol and packaging of peanuts can also contain harmful chemicals that can have adverse effects on health when eating, especially if they are not designed for food purposes.