7 Insane Diet Fads That, Incredibly, Did Not Work (4 of 4)

6. The Fletcherizing Diet

If you’ve ever savored the thought of spending several minutes chewing each bite of your lunch until it liquefies in your mouth, welcome to the Fletcherizing Diet! This turn-of-the-century fad, where thorough mastication was the key to unlocking weight loss, health, and even immortality (allegedly). Championed by Horace Fletcher, the “Great Masticator,” this bizarre practice advocated chewing each bite hundreds of times, transforming meals into a flavorless mush before swallowing. While Fletcher himself claimed to have reversed aging and cured various ailments through this method, doctors were less enthusiastic, highlighting potential digestion issues and even malnutrition risks. Mercifully, the Fletcherizing Diet quickly went the way of the dodo bird.

7. The Sleeping Beauty Diet

The Sleeping Beauty Diet, a bewildering fad, advocated for extreme calorie restriction while encouraging prolonged periods of sedation. This bizarre approach, rooted in the belief that sleeping longer would minimize calorie intake, posed serious health risks. In fact, rumor has it that Elvis himself gave this diet a try, only to end up in a coma as a result! Apart from the obvious drawbacks of lethargy and impaired cognitive function, extended periods of fasting jeopardized essential nutrient absorption. This misguided attempt at weight loss not only undermined overall well-being but also raised alarming concerns about the intersection of extreme dieting and mental health. The Sleeping Beauty Diet, a fanciful notion, proved to be a dangerous lullaby, inducing both physical and psychological consequences in the pursuit of an elusive slumber-induced slimness.