By Sola Ojewusi
JUBA, South Sudan — A festive milk-drinking contest ended in heartache when a young man, Baak Magookdit Junior, collapsed and died shortly after reportedly consuming about 10 litres of milk. The event, intended to entertain, turned deadly when his stomach became overly distended and medical efforts failed to save him.
Witnesses laid the blame on the sheer volume of milk—reportedly ten times what a typical adult’s stomach can comfortably hold. Emergency measures to relieve the pressure were unsuccessful, and the milk remained trapped, preventing the release of air or bowel movement. The young man tragically passed away before professional medical help could be administered.
Disturbing Echoes from Other Overconsumption Incidents
This tragedy is not isolated. Extreme consumption challenges—such as chugging large amounts of water or alcohol—have claimed lives globally:
In 2007, a woman in California died from water intoxication during a radio station’s “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” challenge. She had consumed nearly two gallons of water without urinating, leading to fatal hyponatremia, prompting a $16.5 million wrongful death verdict against the station .
In South Africa, a man lost his life after consuming an entire bottle of Jägermeister in under two minutes during a drinking contest; he collapsed and died shortly afterward .
The dangers are clear: forcing the body to ingest extraordinary volumes of liquids or alcohol can overwhelm its physiological limits, leading to severe consequences.
Milk Overload: Beyond a Gag
Experts explain that the average human stomach can hold only about 1.9 litres, or roughly half a gallon. Drinking significantly more can trigger vomiting reflexes, intense gastric distress, and in extreme cases, death .
Milk presents unique risks due to:
Its high calcium content—equivalent to consuming 25 Tums tablets per gallon—disrupting stomach acidity .
The potential for lactose intolerance symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Overall risk of electrolyte imbalance, especially when consumed in large volumes rapidly .
While fatal milk overconsumption is rare, excessive intake in competitive or celebratory settings clearly raises real dangers.
A Call for Caution
Baak Magookdit Junior’s death is a tragic reminder of how seemingly harmless contests can turn fatal. In communities where such events may be cultural or driven by peer pressure, it’s critical to understand the hazards of pushing the body beyond its natural limits.
Authorities, event organizers, and communities should work together to ensure that entertainment doesn’t override safety. Education, better oversight, and an understanding of human physiology could prevent unnecessary loss of life in the future.
