how long can the human body go without food

The human body can typically survive without food for about 1 to 2 months, with survival times ranging generally between 30 to 70 days depending on various factors such as body fat, health, and hydration. During this period, the body first uses stored carbohydrates, then fat reserves, and finally muscle protein for energy. Severe starvation effects and complications rapidly increase after a few weeks without food. Water intake is critical; without water, survival usually lasts only 3 to 5 days. There are extreme cases, like a documented hunger strike, where an individual survived up to 80 days without food as long as they had water, and a unique medical case where a man fasted for 382 days under supervision, but such cases are exceptional.