You can typically survive without food for about 2 to 3 months, provided you have access to water. This duration varies widely depending on factors such as age, sex, starting body weight, overall health, and water intake
. Without any food or water, survival time is much shorter, generally only around 3 to 5 days due to dehydration
. During starvation, the body initially uses stored glucose and glycogen for energy, then shifts to breaking down fat stores through ketosis to preserve muscle. Once fat reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down muscle tissue, leading to severe health complications
. There are exceptional historical cases: for example, Angus Barbieri survived 382 days without solid food under medical supervision, consuming only tea, coffee, water, soda water, and vitamins
. However, such extreme fasting is dangerous and not recommended. Most people survive between 8 and 21 days without food, based on hunger strike records and survival situations
. In summary:
- With water but no food: survival can extend up to 2-3 months.
- Without food and water: survival is typically limited to about 3-5 days.
- Individual factors and conditions greatly influence survival time.
- Prolonged starvation leads to muscle loss and serious health risks
