Michel Lotito, fondly known as ‘Monsieur Mangetout,’ was a man who took unusual eating habits to an extraordinary level. Born on June 15, 1950, in Grenoble, France, he is famously known for his remarkable ability to consume and digest indigestible objects.
Over his lifetime, he estimated that he consumed nearly nine tons of metal, including astonishing items like an entire Cessna 150 light aircraft, which he methodically dismantled and consumed between 1978 and 1980.
Lotito’s journey into this bizarre realm of eating began at the age of nine when he was diagnosed with pica, a rare psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for non-nutritive substances.
He began performing publicly in 1966, showcasing his unique talent, which would eventually earn him a spot in the Guinness Book of Records for having the “strangest diet.”
His method for consuming such odd materials involved breaking them down into small pieces before ingesting them. To aid the process, he would drink mineral oil and water to create lubrication for the metal parts, allowing them to slide down his throat more easily.
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Remarkably, his stomach lining was twice as thick as that of an average person, paired with strong digestive juices capable of processing a diverse range of materials without harming his body.
Over the years, Michel consumed a wide variety of unconventional items, including:
– 18 bicycles
– 15 shopping carts
– 7 TV sets
– 1 Guinness award plaque
– 45 door hinges
– 1 waterbed
– 6 chandeliers
– 2 beds
– 1 pair of skis
– 1 computer
– 1 entire Cessna airplane
– 500 meters of steel chain
– 1 coffin
Despite his extraordinary abilities, Michel could not tolerate soft foods like bananas or hard-boiled eggs, which would typically make him ill. His performances captivated audiences, showcasing his strange talent and further cementing his legacy.
On June 25, 2007, just ten days after celebrating his 57th birthday, Michel Lotito passed away from natural causes.
His life remains a testament to the bizarre and fascinating extremes of the human body and mind, etching his name in history for his outlandish dietary choices.
