A troubling weight loss trend is spreading across Chinese social media, with videos showing young people placing plastic wrap inside their mouths before eating, then spitting out the food without swallowing it.
According to sources, the method involves wrapping plastic film over the tongue and teeth before chewing food, preventing actual consumption while supposedly simulating the eating experience. Proponents claim this approach can trick the brain into feeling satisfied without taking in calories, similar to how chewing gum might reduce appetite.
Clips demonstrating the technique have circulated widely online, sparking concern among health professionals and social media users. The trend appears particularly popular among young women worried about weight gain who believe this unusual method will help them feel full while avoiding food intake.
A trend among young people in China: For fear of obesity and in order to feel full, they place a plastic bag over their mouth while eating.pic.twitter.com/WZmOHS9LvO
— China pulse 🇨🇳 (@Eng_china5) February 17, 2026
However, the effectiveness of this practice remains entirely unproven, and medical experts have raised serious alarms about potential health consequences. Beyond the obvious issue of food waste, critics point to the dangers of microplastics, which can leach from plastic packaging into anything they contact.
“I get the idea is to curb cravings or avoid calories, but it seems like you’re just wasting food and probably not tricking your brain/body at all,” one commenter noted online. “Plus the microplastics concern is real. Studies already show plastic packaging sheds tiny particles into food/drinks, and nobody knows the long-term effects of intentionally putting it in your mouth. Probably not worth the risk.”
Another concerned observer expressed worry for those attempting the trend: “I really hope young people find safer ways to manage their health. That method seems like it could cause serious harm instead of helping.”
Research has already documented how plastic materials release microscopic particles that can contaminate food and beverages, though scientists are still studying the long-term health impacts of such exposure. Deliberately introducing plastic wrap into the mouth during eating could significantly increase this risk.
