Tag: Eating metal

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, tens of thousands of foreign body ingestion cases in children occur annually, and up to 85% of these involve metallic objects. For anyone considering or who has accidentally swallowed a non-food item like a locket, it is critically important to understand that the safe number to ingest is zero.

Between 1959 and 1997, French entertainer Michel Lotito consumed an estimated nine tons of metal and other indigestible materials. This astonishing feat provides a remarkable answer to the question: what is the most metal ever eaten?, pointing to a story of a unique human marvel.

Ingesting metal objects can cause life-threatening symptoms, including organ damage and even death, depending on the type and amount. However, while swallowing physical metal is extremely dangerous, the human body actually relies on specific metallic elements, known as minerals, to function correctly. This guide separates the dangerous misconception from the scientific reality, exploring how we safely absorb vital metallic nutrients and the grave risks posed by toxic metals.

Over 125,000 foreign body ingestions were reported to American Poison Control Centers in 2007, and attempting to eat barbells is a life-threatening example of this hazard. This article clarifies why ingesting metal is lethal and points toward safe, nutritional alternatives.