What happens to your body when you stop eating
Starvation can impact bone density and heart function
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.No living thing can survive without some form of sustenance – be it a plant or your cat.
So, what would happen if a person stopped eating?
Incredibly, it is possible to survive for between 3 weeks to 70 days without eating.
But the impact is devastating, as the body uses all of its glucose, fat and muscle for energy.
The effects of starvation are explained in the video below by the YouTube channel Asap Science.
The body continues as normal 6 hours after you eat as it has sufficient levels of glycogen to convert into glucose. However, between six and 72-hours after eating, brain function becomes impaired.
As time passes, bone density will suffer, as will a person’s libido. Women will eventually stop menstruating as the body attempts to save energy.
Gradually, the muscles weaken and the heart, too, wastes away. This is why it is common for those with anorexia to die of a heart attack.
Asap Science created the video in order to raise awareness about worldwide hunger caused by poverty.
A recent UN report found that one in nine people do not have enough food to lead a healthy life.
In the world’s poorest areas, excessively low body weight is a serious public health concern, according to the research by Imperial College London for the UN World Food Programme.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments