'Relishing' the Fourth of July

Frankly speaking, there's nothing quite like it.

That noted hot dog eating contest was held again on July 4th on Coney Island, a familiar area of New York. And there was a familiar winner -- Joey "Jaws" Chestnut.

Last year, the 28-year-old San Jose, Calif., man won with 62 hot dogs. He bested his main rival this year by 16 dogs, scarfing down all 68 in 10 minutes in the sweltering summer heat to take home $10,000 and the mustard yellow belt, according to the Huffington Post.

Do you oppose this contest on nutritional grounds? Or is it just harmless fun? Tell us in the comments below.

Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, Va. downed 45 hot dogs to win the women's competition. She reached her goal of eating 45 in the time limit – her age – and took home her own pink champion's belt and $10,000.

The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a New York tradition for 97 years. 

However, the American Medical Association opposes competitive eating, saying it's harmful to the human body, the Huffington Post reported. But the competitive eaters are quite trim. Chestnut is more than 6 feet tall and a muscly 210 pounds, and Thomas, who is 5-foot-5, weighed in at barely 100 pounds.

And it comes not long after New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg proposed a city ban on soft drinks being sold in containers larger than 16 ounces.

But for one day, the matter was, uh, easy to digest.

What are the most hot dogs you've ever eaten in one sitting? Tell us in the comments below.