A Chinese female influencer who tried to lose weight quickly by eating only boiled chicken breast and broccoli for six months nearly paid the ultimate price. Instead of improving her health, the extreme diet caused severe abdominal pain, and doctors diagnosed her with extensive pancreatic necrosis—she almost died.
The 25-year-old influencer went to Xi’an People’s Hospital complaining of acute abdominal pain. Upon examination, doctors discovered she was suffering from acute pancreatitis, with large areas of her pancreas damaged. It was then revealed that she had been on a strict “low-fat boiled diet” for half a year, cutting out carbohydrates and fats entirely, and eating only boiled chicken and broccoli.
Doctors explained that such a low-fat diet can cause pancreatic fluid to accumulate. When pancreatic enzymes are abnormally secreted inside the pancreas, they can “digest the organ itself,” triggering acute pancreatitis. They emphasized that healthy weight loss depends on a caloric deficit and stable metabolism—not eating as little as possible.
Four Types of Diets That Harm the Pancreas
Acute pancreatitis is extremely dangerous, with severe cases carrying a mortality rate of up to 30%. Korean traditional medicine doctor Jung Se-yeon warns that high-fat and high-sugar diets are particularly damaging to the pancreas. She listed four types of “no-go” foods for pancreatic health:
- French fries or fried potatoes
- Sausages and other organ meats (e.g., pork intestines)
- Processed meats like ham and bacon
- Red meat
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking introduces nitrosamines that can damage the pancreas, while alcohol can prematurely activate digestive enzymes in pancreatic cells, leading to cell breakdown and potentially acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is also closely linked to long-term alcohol consumption, with about 80% of patients having a history of heavy drinking.
To protect pancreatic health, experts advise not only following a balanced diet but also avoiding smoking and alcohol.
