Narayana Murthy says he stayed hungry for 120 hours while hitchhiking 50 years ago; what happens to your body when you starve for 5 days

Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy is often in the news, not just for his impeccable business acumen and entrepreneurial skills but also for his candid statements. So, when he recently shared that he experienced hunger “non-stop” for 120 hours while hitchhiking in Europe around 50 years ago, everyone took note of the same. “Most of you have not experienced hunger. I have. I experienced hunger for 120 hours non-stop when I was hitchhiking in Europe at a place called Nish, a border town between Bulgaria (what was then Yugoslavia and today Serbia),”  Murthy, 77, said.

He recollected the incident while addressing a United Nations session on ‘Achievements in Food Security: India’s Strides Towards Sustainable Development Goals’. The audience comprised UN diplomats, officials, academia, civil society organisations, and members of the Indian diaspora.

Following his admission, we decided to ask experts about how the body performs during starvation.

Dr Ekta Singhwal, dietician, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals said starving for more than 5 days, or more than 100 hours, can have “severe consequences on the body”.

“If a person keeps drinking water and doesn’t have any food, the body will start using its tissue for energy. When the fatty acid reserves are gone, the body switches to protein. Depending on how little fatty tissue you have, it may take only a few days to reach this point. By one week, however, the bodies of most starving people will be actively breaking down muscle to obtain protein,” elucidated Dr Prasad Bhate, consultant, gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune.

Dr Singhwal helped us break down what happens to the body when a person starves

Nutritional deficiencies

Prolonged starvation deprives the body of essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fats. “This can weaken the immune system, impair organ function, and hinder overall health,” said Dr Singhwal.

What does starving your body for 120 hours do to you? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Muscle wasting

In the absence of adequate food intake, the body begins to break down muscle tissue to obtain energy. “This can result in significant muscle wasting, leading to weakness, fatigue, and decreased physical function,” said Dr Singhwal.

Metabolic changes

Extended fasting can cause metabolic changes in the body, including a decrease in metabolic rate to conserve energy. According to Dr Singhwal, this can make it harder to lose weight and maintain muscle mass in the long term.

Electrolyte imbalance

Without food intake, the body may experience imbalances in electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Dr Singhwal noted that this can lead to symptoms like dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and muscle cramps.

Organ damage

Prolonged starvation puts stress on vital organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Dr Singhwal said that over time, this can result in organ damage and increase the risk of serious health complications.

Mental and emotional effects

According to Dr Singhwal, starvation can also have profound effects on mental and emotional well-being, including mood swings, irritability, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

Overall, prolonged starvation can have devastating effects on the body and should be avoided. “It’s essential to maintain a balanced diet and seek medical attention if experiencing prolonged periods of food deprivation,” said Dr Singhwal.

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