Stop blaming yourself for eating too much: this 30‑second cracker test reveals if you’re actually “easy to gain weight” — even Namkoong Min’s genes say yes
Eating the same as your friends but only you gain weight? The 30‑second Cracker Test shows if your genes make you prone to weight gain — just ask Namkoong Min.
Summary
- The “soda cracker test,” created by an American geneticist, claims to gauge how you metabolize carbohydrates simply by chewing on a plain, sugar‑free cracker.
- If you taste sweetness within 14 seconds, it suggests you’re less likely to gain weight easily; if it takes more than 21 seconds, it points to a carb‑sensitive body type that needs to be more careful with starches.
- Korean star Namkoong Min, known for his sculpted muscles, tried the test on a show and needed 26 seconds, confirming he actually has a body type that gains weight easily.
- Off camera, Namkoong Min keeps his incredible physique with a strict chicken‑breast diet and alcohol‑free beer to satisfy cravings.
You go out for dinner with friends and eat the same amount, yet somehow you’re the only one who comes home feeling like you’ve gained a size. It may not be entirely your fault: your genes and body type could be at play. The Korean variety show “Problem Child in House” has recently sparked a craze for the “Cracker Test,” which uses a single plain, sugar-free cracker to measure how efficiently you metabolize carbohydrates in 30 seconds. Even actor Namgoong Min, known for his exceptionally fit physique, tried it himself.
- Related reading: Drink to reduce water retention, eat the wrong foods and you may bloat: a 2026 Dog Days weight-loss checklist to help you slim down over 40 days
Test your carbohydrate metabolism in 30 seconds
Created by American geneticist Dr. Sharon Moalem, this test gauges how efficiently your body processes carbohydrates based on how quickly amylase in your saliva breaks down starch into sugar. The method is simple: Let saliva collect in your mouth, then place a plain, sugar-free cracker inside and begin chewing while timing how long it takes for you to taste sweetness.
If you notice sweetness within 14 seconds, your carbohydrate metabolism is excellent (Full carb type), suggesting a body type that does not gain weight easily. Tasting sweetness between 15 and 20 seconds indicates an average metabolism (Moderate carb type). If it takes more than 21 seconds, you may be more likely to store carbohydrates as fat (Restricted carb type), so it is best to moderately limit your carbohydrate intake day to day.
Is even the muscular Namgoong Min prone to gaining weight?
After seeing these benchmarks, plenty of us are probably eager to try it ourselves. Namgoong Min took the test alongside the hosts on the show. Despite his famously broad shoulders and defined muscles, he needed 26 seconds before he could taste any sweetness. By comparison, former model Hong Jin-kyung needed just 18 seconds. Based on this genetic test, Namgoong Min is, in fact, someone who is prone to gaining weight.
More impressive than natural advantages is his extraordinary discipline
If he was not naturally able to eat without gaining weight, how did this leading man build such a muscular physique? Off camera, he enjoys high-calorie foods like pizza and tteokbokki, yet gives them up for filming. His refrigerator is always stocked with chicken breast, while his on-set meals contain only fruit, vegetables, cheese, and unseasoned meat. Even when he feels like having a beer, he opts for a nonalcoholic one to trick his brain.
For those of us who are often struggling to lose weight, seeing this level of discipline makes things feel a little more balanced, doesn’t it? Understanding how your body truly responds to carbohydrates may help you avoid some unnecessary trial and error as you manage your diet. Next time you’re at the supermarket, pick up a pack of plain, sugar-free crackers and try the test at home.
Join POPBEE Circle and subscribe to the POPBEE newsletter for the latest updates, and be among the first to learn about exclusive perks and discounts. Beyond this story, here are a few recent features worth checking out:
- Add this to your list if you don’t want to wear the same scent as everyone else: PAÑPURI lands in two major Hong Kong malls, and its latest alcohol-free line is seriously tempting
- CHANEL returns to No. 1, Massimo Dutti breaks into the Top 10 for the first time: Lyst’s latest ranking reveals what everyone’s buying this year
- Even the metal tin is almost too cute: ReFa’s new HEART DRYER Aira hair dryer comes in five macaron shades you need to know
