Water makes up about 60% of an adult's body weight, and it's essential for cellular functions, temperature regulation, and waste removal.
Dehydration can cause serious health issues, including organ failure, so it's crucial to maintain proper hydration levels.
When a person stops eating and drinking, their body starts breaking down stored energy sources, like glycogen and fat, to sustain vital functions.
The liver, which stores glycogen, can provide energy for around 24-48 hours.
After that, the body begins to break down fat reserves, which can last for several weeks, depending on the individual's initial body fat percentage and overall health.
The human body can survive for several weeks without food, but dehydration can occur much faster.
In hot and humid environments, dehydration can set in within a matter of days, while in cooler climates, it may take up to two weeks.
Factors like age, physical activity, and underlying medical conditions also play a significant role in determining how long a person can survive without eating or drinking.
In an extreme case, a person can survive for up to 40 days without food if they have access to water.
This is because the body can use stored fat reserves for energy, but water is essential for proper bodily functions.
In the 1981 Irish hunger strike, a protester named Bobby Sands survived for 66 days without food, but with access to water, before eventually succumbing to starvation.
In the absence of both food and water, the body's energy stores are depleted rapidly.
In this scenario, death from dehydration can occur within a week, depending on environmental factors and the individual's physical condition.
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