Angus Barbieri's fast

Scottish man Angus Barbieri (1939 – 7 September 1990) fasted for 392 days,[1] from June 14, 1965[2] to July 11, 1966. He lived on tea, coffee, soda water, and vitamins while living at home in Tayport, Scotland, and frequently visiting Maryfield Hospital for medical evaluation. He lost 276 pounds (125 kg) and set a record for the length of a fast.[2]

Angus Barbieri
Barbieri before and after fasting (seated, right)
Born1939 (1939)
Died7 September 1990(1990-09-07) (aged 50–51)

The fast

In 1965, Barbieri, a 27-year-old from Tayport, Scotland, checked into the Maryfield Hospital in Dundee. Initially only a short fast was planned, due to the doctors believing that short fasts were preferable to longer ones. Barbieri insisted on continuing because "he adapted so well and was eager to reach his 'ideal' weight".[2]: 203  For 392 days ending on 11 July 1966, he consumed only vitamins, electrolytes, an unspecified amount of yeast (a source of all essential amino acids) and zero-calorie beverages such as tea, coffee, and sparkling water, although he occasionally consumed small amounts of milk and/or sugar with the beverages, especially during the final weeks of the fast. He quit working at his father's fish and chip shop, which closed down during the fast. Barbieri's starting weight was recorded at 456 pounds (207 kg) and he stopped fasting when he reached his goal weight of 180 pounds (82 kg).

Record

In the 1971 edition of The Guinness Book of Records, Barbieri's 392-day fast was recognized as the longest recorded.[1] The Postgraduate Medical Journal article counted the fast as running from June 14, 1965 to June 30, 1966 for a total of 382 days.[2]: 205  In 1973, Dennis Galer Goodwin went on a hunger strike for 385 days, but he was force-fed during this period. As of 2023, Barbieri retains the record for the longest fast without solid food, according to Guinness officials. Guinness no longer officially endorses records relating to fasting for fear of encouraging unsafe behaviour.[1][3]

Follow-up

Barbieri was able to maintain his new weight; five years after the fast he weighed 196 pounds (89 kg).[4] After his weight loss, he moved to Warwick and had two sons.[1] Barbieri died in September 1990.[1]

See also

References
  1. Brady, Jon (12 November 2016). "The tale of Angus Barbieri who fasted for more than a year – and lost 21 stone". Evening Telegraph. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  2. Stewart, W. K.; Fleming, Laura W. (1 March 1973). "Features of a successful therapeutic fast of 382 days' duration". Postgraduate Medical Journal. Oxford University Press (OUP). 49 (569): 203–209. doi:10.1136/pgmj.49.569.203. ISSN 0032-5473. PMC 2495396. PMID 4803438.
  3. "Guinness records snub for Blaine". CNN. London. 4 September 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  4. "The story of Angus Barbieri, who went 382 days without eating". Diabetes.co.uk. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
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