Did you know that over the centuries people have tried lose weight with methods that today we would consider absurd and even dangerous? From consuming arsenic until ingested parasitic worms, history shows us how the obsession with the thinness has led to practices as strange as they are unhealthy. Below, we present an exhaustive tour of the most unusual diets of history, its origins, consequences and why you should never try to follow them.
1. The Alcohol Diet
William the Conqueror, King of England in the 11th century, is known not only for his military achievements, but also for one of the most eccentric methods of lose weight. It is said that he was so obese who couldn't even ride his horse, a condition that led him to devise a diet based exclusively on consuming alcohol.
He confined himself to his bed and replaced his entire diet with regular intakes of beer y wine. Although he managed to lose some weight, this extreme approach was not sustainable financing model ni healthyFinally, William died in 1087, after falling from his horse in combat, an incident linked to his poor physical condition.
2. The Vinegar Diet
Popularized by the romantic poet Lord Byron In the 19th century, this diet consisted of consuming large quantities of vinegar to "cleanse" the body. Byron diluted it in water and combined it with potatoes soaked in this substance. The diet gained notoriety because Byron was a model of thinness and paleness, characteristics highly valued in his time.
However, side effects included vomiting, Diarrhea and serious nutritional imbalancesDespite this, there are still those who consider vinegar an ally for losing weight, although experts recommend limiting its consumption to small amounts diluted in water.
3. The Cigarette Diet
For much of the 20th century, the industry tobacco used the appetite suppressant power of the nicotine as a sales pitch. The ads promoted smoking as an effective way to weight control, especially aimed at a female audience. One of the most controversial slogans was: "Smoke a Lucky instead of a candy."
While nicotine may temporarily reduce appetite, smoke It is closely linked to serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart diseases and other chronic problems. The connection between smoking and weight loss was quickly discredited by the medical community.
4. The Sleeping Beauty Diet
Its name alludes to the famous tale, but there is little magic in this diet. It consists of sleeping for as long as possible to avoid eating, a practice that often requires the use of sleeping pills o sedativesIt is rumored that Elvis Presley He went so far as to try this "diet", even putting himself in a medically induced coma to avoid feeling hungry.
Associated risks include drug dependency, malnutrition and an extreme weakening of the body. In addition, the lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle further aggravate the individual's general state of health.
5. The Cookie Diet
Created by the Dr. Sanford Siegal, this diet promised to control hunger through the consumption of cookies specially designed with amino acids. Followers were required to eat six cookies a day, supplemented by a dinner of 300 calories. In total, daily intake did not exceed 800 calories.
While initially successful, complaints soon came to light about the quality of the cookies, which in some cases appeared with mould o foreign particles. These products are still marketed today, but their efficacy y to maximise security and your enjoyment. remain in question.
6. The Cotton Diet
One of the most popular diets peligrosas y absurd that have become popular consist of eating balls of cotton soaked in fruit juice to generate a feeling of satiety. Although cotton contains few calories, it has no nutritional value and can cause serious intestinal obstructions.
Experts warn that cotton consumption can lead to intestinal blockages requiring surgical interventions, in addition to causing severe malnutrition.
7. The Worm Diet
This diet proposes to eat capsules that contain tapeworm eggs, an intestinal parasite, in the hope that the worm will consume the calories ingested by the host. Although it sounds scary, this practice was surprisingly popular in the 20th century.
The consequences of having a tapeworm in the body include malnutrition, chronic diarrhea and, in severe cases, problems neurological and Zóbel's vision. In addition, tapeworms can reach sizes of up to 9 meters, which makes them a burden on the body.
8. The Air Diet
This diet, also known as “Breathingism,” promotes giving up food and water, eating only aire y sunlight. Popularized by some celebrities, this practice is extremely dangerous and can lead to starvation and death.
Attempts to follow this diet have resulted in numerous hospitalizationsExperts agree that the air diet lacks any scientific basis and poses a significant health risk.
History is littered with foolhardy attempts at weight loss, and these diets, while shocking, are a reminder of the dangers of seeking miracle solutions. While the interest in maintaining a healthy weight is understandable, it is important to always opt for methods backed by healthcare professionals and based on the balanced diet and physical exercise.