General Question

imrainmaker's avatar

How many days can you survive without food?

Asked by imrainmaker (8380points) January 11th, 2018

As asked.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

9 Answers

chyna's avatar

A friend of mine’s mother was in hospice and lived 19 days without food or water. She wasn’t hooked up to IV’s. I would not think going that long would be possible.

filmfann's avatar

People in retirement homes who decide to starve to death usually last no longer than 6 weeks.

Patty_Melt's avatar

DAYS?
Maybe six hours. If I don’t snack I would surely die.

Mariah's avatar

I’ve always heard the 3–3-3 rule – 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food. YMMV.

If I want to get technical about it, I once survived 2 months without food. But I was on IV nutrition.

Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Lightlyseared's avatar

Three weeks is the often quoted figure.
The real trick is starting to eat again afterwards without killing yourself from refeed syndrome.

marinelife's avatar

“Generally, it appears as though humans can survive without any food for 30–40 days, as long as they are properly hydrated. Severe symptoms of starvation begin around 35–40 days, and as highlighted by the hunger strikers of the Maze Prison in Belfast in the 1980s, death can occur at around 45 to 61 days.”

The Science of Starvation

Response moderated (Spam)

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther