Thanakarn Kanthee, a Thai content creator, passed away a few months ago after accepting an alleged drinking challenge to down 2 bottles of whiskey for a significant amount of money. Known popularly as “Bank Leicester” among his fans, the social media influencer was offered 10,000 Thai baht (₹25,076) per bottle to drink 350ml bottles of Regency whiskey during a birthday celebration in Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi, on Christmas. reported Bangkok Post. Soon after, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead as a result of
spoke to health experts and found out what happens to the body when you chug so much alcohol in such a short span of time.
Tanya Khanna, Nutritionist and Yoga Trainer, Alyve Health said that the body is not designed to process alcohol at such a rapid pace. “Typically, the liver can metabolize only . A standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is roughly equivalent to 44 ml of whiskey, 148 ml of wine, or 355 ml of beer. When alcohol is consumed too quickly, the body becomes overwhelmed, leading to severe physiological disruptions,” she said.
According to Khanna, the brain, as the control center of the body, is particularly vulnerable. High concentrations of alcohol impair decision-making, coordination, and motor skills, leading to . This disrupts essential functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation, which can result in coma or even death.
“Rapid alcohol consumption can trigger arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats, and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks,” she said. Alcohol also suppresses the respiratory system, and vomiting, often a result of binge drinking, increases the risk of aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia or suffocation. Gastrointestinal distress, including gastritis, ulcers, and pancreatitis, can follow, she added.
Isha Lall, Holistic Nutrition and Gut Health Coach added that drinking two bottles of whiskey (roughly 750 ml each) means consuming over 30 standard drinks. For context, a lethal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is around 0.4%. Downing that much whiskey could easily push you past this limit within minutes. “Initially, you’ll feel euphoric or tipsy. But as levels rise, your coordination falters, speech slurs, and judgment fails. If alcohol levels spike too high, your body’s emergency brakes kick in: vomiting and loss of consciousness. These are your last defenses against alcohol poisoning,” she said.
She suggested the following tips to ensure you drink safely:
1. Pace Yourself: Stick to no more than one drink per hour.
2. Never Drink on an Empty Stomach: Food slows alcohol absorption.
3. Know Your Limit: For most people, two drinks per day is the upper safe limit.
4. Stay Hydrated: Alternate alcohol with water to avoid dehydration.
