This Burger Has Been Dubbed a "Cardiologist's Worst Nightmare"

What happens if you take a cheeseburger and make it even more calorie-dense and fatty? Meet the Luther Burger!

Dubbed a "cardiologist's worst nightmare" by ABC News, the Luther Burger is a bacon cheeseburger with two glazed donuts in place of buns. It is said that the burger was a favorite and possible invention of American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, which is where the burger got its name.

Variations of the Luther Burger can be found in several dining establishments, fairs, and sports venues around the United States. Most notably, the burger is served at the The Gateway Grizzlies baseball team ballpark in Sauget, Illinois. Their version, called "Baseball's Best Burger" clocks in at a whopping 1,000 calories and was showcased in an episode of Man v. Food.

It is said that the Gateway Grizzlies' ballpark has become known for the Baseball's Best Burger and has lead to an increase in game attendance.

Not surprisingly, the Luther Burger has been met with much criticism due to its high calorie and fat content. Nutrition expert Mel Wakeman slammed restaurant chain Hungry Horse for serving a similar burger, stating "This is simply ludicrous and irresponsible....why is this sort of food available? This burger is literally a heart attack on a plate. Taking the children to an eatery like this will guarantee we continue to reinforce unhealthy eating habits, contribute to the obesity epidemic and increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes at an earlier age."

Although the health implications are clear, many people still flock to their local eateries to try the Luther Burger. The #donutburger tag on Instagram has 37,475 posts at the time of writing this article, full of photos of food bloggers and everyday people alike chowing down on this 1,000+ calorie monstrosity.