Michel Lotito, known as ‘Monsieur Mangetout’ (Mr. Eat All), was not your average eater. His diet included items that most would consider inedible: metal, rubber, and glass.
Lotito’s extraordinary consumption habits earned him a place in the Guinness World Record for the world’s strangest diet. Among his most remarkable feats was eating an entire airplane, along with bicycles, razor blades, and more.
The Method Behind the Madness
Born in 1950 and passing away in 2007, Lotito’s unique eating habits began in his teenage years. He discovered his ability to consume non-food items and developed a taste for them.
To prepare these items for consumption, he cut them into bite-sized pieces using an electric power saw. He swallowed these pieces whole, like a pill, aided by mineral oil and water to lubricate the process. Surprisingly, he managed to excrete these materials without significant problems.
Lotito’s preparations for consuming such bizarre items were meticulous. He had an incredibly high pain threshold, which he attributed to practicing sophrology, a form of self-hypnosis and relaxation. His first experience with eating glass at the age of 16 led him to explore other inedible objects.
What started as a simple party trick evolved into a lucrative career. Lotito performed in various shows, displaying his unique talent. He could consume items like bicycles, which he would eat over several days, and even razor blades, plates, and metal pieces.
The Anatomy of Michel Lotito
Lotito’s unusual diet is attributed to pica, a psychological disorder characterized by eating things that are not food. However, Lotito believed his physical makeup played a significant role in his dietary choices. He claimed to have incredibly strong teeth and powerful gastric juices that could melt metal.
Despite his unique ability, soft foods like bananas and hard-boiled eggs caused him discomfort. While there were doubts about whether his body was genuinely different from an ordinary person’s, his long-term doctor expressed concerns about the impact of his diet on his health.
Legacy of an Extraordinary Eater
Monsieur Mangetout’s diet remained a fascinating and cautionary tale. He passed away in 2007 due to natural causes. The extent to which his diet influenced his health or his death remains a mystery.
Over 15 years after his passing, Michel Lotito’s story continues to intrigue and caution new generations. As a performer, entertainer, and record-breaker, his legacy as a truly one-of-a-kind individual lives on.
Michel Lotito’s story is a testament to the incredible adaptability and resilience of the human body. His ability to consume what most would find inconceivable not only challenged our understanding of what is possible but also provided a unique perspective on the human experience. Whether it was his mental fortitude or a unique physiological makeup, Monsieur Mangetout’s life remains a fascinating chapter in the annals of extraordinary human behaviors.
Source: “The man who ate metal: Monsieur Mangetout’s strange diet” — Guinness Book of World Records
