The recent survival story of Kerala trekker Sharanya, an IT professional who had gone missing during a trek in the forests of Madikeri in Coorg, has sparked a critical health question: Can a person survive in the forest with access to water but little or no food? The answer is yes—but only for a limited time, and not without serious risks.
Sharanya’s experience highlights this reality. She survived on just a 500 ml bottle of water and still managed to spend four days alone in the dense forest.
A study published in PubMed states that it seems possible to survive without food and drink for a period of 8 to 21 days. If a person is only deprived of food, the survival time may even go up to about two months, although this is influenced by many factors that include the age and health of the individual.
Is it possible to survive days without food?
For an individual without health issues, during the first 24 hours without food, as your glucose storage is depleted, your body will begin to convert glycogen from your liver and muscles into glucose, Healthline reported.
Next, the body will begin to break down muscle tissue to provide energy. To prevent excessive muscle loss, the body will depend on fat stores to create ketones for energy. This process is known as ketosis.
Surviving on water alone is not without dangers. Untreated water sources may contain bacteria, parasites, or viruses, which can lead to deadly infections.
Sharanya’s ordeal underscores that survival depends on a combination of hydration, mental resilience, and environmental awareness. While water can sustain life temporarily, long-term survival requires calories, shelter, and protection from hazards.
For more information, consult a health expert.
