Estimates, primarily drawn from instances of individuals trapped or buried, suggest that humans can survive for 8 to 21 days without food. Notably, during the 1981 Maze Prison hunger strike in Belfast, individuals survived for 45 to 61 days without consuming any food before succumbing.
In the initial phase of food deprivation, significant weight loss occurs. During the first five days of fasting, a person might experience a daily weight reduction of 2.2–4.4 pounds. After four days without food intake, feelings of faintness and dizziness are common. The onset of starvation-related complications becomes a concern when an individual loses 10% of their body weight or their Body Mass Index (BMI) falls to 16.5 or lower. Medical professionals advising on hunger strikes emphasize the need for careful monitoring after 10 days of food abstinence, especially when the person’s initial body weight is not known.
While surviving for 30 days without food is theoretically possible, it remains highly improbable. Extreme cases document survival for up to 61 days, but the typical survival window without food ranges from 8 to 21 days.
In the context of hospice care, the cessation of food and water provision is often misunderstood. Hospice care protocols generally do not involve the denial of food or water to patients who express a desire for them. However, as the body approaches its natural end, a reduced need and desire for sustenance is a common physiological change. Furthermore, in the terminal stages of life, eating can become uncomfortable and may potentially lead to complications that prolong the dying process and increase discomfort. For individuals with concerns regarding the palliative care of a loved one, open communication with the patient, if feasible, and their healthcare team is recommended.
