Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: The Man Who Didn’t Eat for a Year
Jul 31, 2019
In 1965, a 456-pound man named Angus Barbieri took on the astounding challenge of fasting for more than a year. This remarkable journey reveals how he survived solely on body fat and essential supplements under medical supervision. The podcast delves into the physical and psychological effects of extreme fasting and examines the societal perceptions surrounding it. It also highlights the serious health risks associated with such drastic measures and the importance of careful reintroduction of food after such a fast.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Year-Long Fast
- In 1965, 456-pound Angus Barbieri began a medically supervised fast in Scotland.
- He continued this fast for 382 days, consuming only non-caloric beverages and supplements.
Medical Marvel
- Barbieri's fast, while medically documented, remains a mystery.
- It highlights our limited understanding of individual human body function.
Infrequent Bowel Movements
- During his fast, Barbieri only pooped 8-9 times in the entire year.
- The study described his infrequent bowel movements as primarily cell detritus.