The Breatharian Diet

The Breatharian diet is based upon the premise that food is not necessary to sustain life and that humans can survive on air and light alone. Based upon the theory of inedia, the Latin word for fasting, this diet has resulted in several deaths. While an occasional fasting day generally does not do one’s body any harm, the Breatharians regularly shun most liquid and solid foods. They feel that a bit of water or herbal tea on occasion, combined with sunlight, will nourish their bodies and sustain their life force.
Despite the fact there is absolutely no scientific evidence to indicate that human beings can live more than a few days without water and solid foods, the Breatharians continue to believe in this diet. One of the most famous Breatharian followers was Jasmuheen who claimed that she had not eaten solid foods for many years. Reports did indicate that there was food in her house and she was notoriously unwilling to submit to any type of blood tests that would verify her claims. In reality, there has never been any solid evidence to indicate that any of the Breatharian followers have survived for any length of time without solid foods and water.
This diet is profoundly dangerous, and several people died tragically in the 1990’s as a result of the Breatharian diet concept. The founder of the Breatharian Institute of America, Wiley Brooks, admits to breaking his fast periodically with cheeseburgers and soda. He calls sodas “liquid light” and encourages the cheeseburgers as “good fast-breaking food” for beginning Breatharians.