Ethiopia’s 16 Year “No Food” Woman: Miracle, Myth, or Medical Mystery?

In a remote Ethiopian village, a woman named Muluwork Ambaw has captured global attention with an almost unbelievable claim: she has not eaten or drunk anything for 16 years. At age 10, she says, her appetite vanished overnight. Now 26, she insists she has lived without food or water, yet appears healthy, cooks for others, and even travels internationally. Doctors in Ethiopia and Dubai have reportedly examined her, finding “no food in her intestines” and no clear explanation. To believers, it’s a divine miracle. To scientists, it defies basic human biology. So what’s really going on?

The Story: From Village Life to Viral Sensation

Muluwork Ambaw’s story began around 2010, when she was just 10 years old. She recalls a morning when her family asked her to eat breakfast and go to school. She told them she had eaten, but in reality, she had lost her appetite for food and water completely. From that day, she claims, she stopped eating and drinking entirely.

Over the years, villagers say they have never seen her consume food or water. She cooks for her family, runs errands, and even gave birth to a child—yet insists she never ate or drank during pregnancy, only receiving intravenous glucose in hospital. Her case gained international attention after travel vlogger Drew Binsky visited her village and shared her story, which then went viral on YouTube and social media.

Medical tests reportedly show no food in her intestines and no signs of recent ingestion. She claims she has not used the toilet in 16 years except when showering. Guinness World Records notes the longest verified survival without food and water is just 18 days, making Ambaw’s claims extraordinary—and highly controversial.

What Science Says:

Can Humans Really Survive 16 Years Without Food or Water?

From a medical standpoint, Ambaw’s story contradicts well‑established human physiology. Experts agree that humans cannot survive long without water or food:

• Without water: Most people can survive only 2–5 days, depending on conditions. Dehydration disrupts kidney function, blood pressure, and body temperature regulation.
• Without food: With adequate water, survival can extend to weeks or a few months, but not years. The body burns fat and muscle, eventually leading to organ failure.

A 2025 article published in The Montreal Gazette and republished by McGill’s Office for Science and Society makes a clear and uncompromising point: there is no scientific mystery behind claims of surviving without food. It reinforces the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created from nothing. Every bodily function—movement, thinking, breathing, and even a heartbeat—requires energy derived from food. When no energy is consumed, the body is forced to break down its own tissues to survive. Fat stores are used first, followed by muscle and vital organs. Without continued intake, this process inevitably leads to organ failure and death.

The article cites the 18‑day survival record of Andreas Mihavecz, an Austrian man who survived in a prison cell by licking condensation off the walls for moisture. Even that case required some water. A 382‑day medically supervised fast by Angus Barbieri involved vitamins, electrolytes, and some yeast—still far from “nothing.”

Medical Reviews:

Miracle, Fraud, or Misunderstanding?

Medical experts and skeptics largely fall into three camps:

1. Skeptical scientists: Many argue that Ambaw’s case is physically impossible. They point out that no long‑term, controlled medical observation has been published in peer‑reviewed journals. Short‑term tests showing an empty stomach do not prove 16 years of abstinence.
2. Critical thinkers: Some suggest fraud or selective reporting. Travel vloggers and local communities may unintentionally exaggerate or misinterpret behavior. Ambaw may eat or drink secretly, or consume tiny amounts that go unnoticed.
3. Open‑minded clinicians: A few acknowledge that rare metabolic or neurological conditions can alter appetite and metabolism, but none explain complete absence of food and water for 16 years.

The lack of published clinical data—such as continuous monitoring, metabolic studies, or detailed case reports—makes it impossible to confirm her claims scientifically.

Faith, Spirituality, and the Human Need for Miracles

For many believers, Ambaw’s story is not about science but faith. In Ethiopia, a deeply religious country, miracles are often attributed to divine intervention. Ambaw herself says her survival is “the will of God.” Her home is filled with religious artifacts, and villagers describe her as humble and devout.

Psychologists note that humans are drawn to extraordinary narratives that challenge the ordinary. Stories like Ambaw’s provide hope, wonder, and a sense that “sometimes miracles happen” when science seems to fail. Yet this emotional appeal must be balanced with critical thinking.

Why This Case Matters for Science and Society

The Muluwork Ambaw story highlights a crucial tension: science vs belief, evidence vs anecdote. It reminds us that:

• Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
• Media and social platforms can amplify unverified stories, creating myths.
• Science does not “fail” when it cannot explain something; it simply acknowledges the limits of current knowledge.

In this case, the balance tips heavily toward myth or misunderstanding, not a proven miracle. Yet the fascination it generates reflects humanity’s enduring curiosity about the unknown.

Conclusion: Miracle, Myth, or Misunderstood?

Muluwork Ambaw’s claim of living 16 years without food or water is medically implausible based on current scientific understanding. No verified case supports such longevity without sustenance. Experts largely view the story as unproven, possibly exaggerated, or misrepresented.

That does not diminish the emotional power of her narrative or the faith it inspires. But for those seeking truth, the lesson is clear: critical thinking, medical evidence, and peer‑reviewed research must guide our conclusions, even when stories seem miraculous.

Disclaimer

This NewsWebFit report is for informational purposes only. It does not endorse or verify unproven medical claims. Readers should consult healthcare professionals for medical advice. Individual experiences may vary, and extraordinary stories should be approached with skepticism and scientific scrutiny.

Sources

• Telegrafi: Woman claims she has not eaten or drunk anything for 16 years.
• Ethiopia Panorama: She says she has lived 16 years without food or water.
• Pulse Ghana: Lady, 26, says she’s not eaten food or drunk water in 16 years​
• Svalbardi: How Long Can You Live Without Water?​
• YouTube: Unique, Muluwork Ambaw no food, no water​
• McGill Office for Science and Society: We Can Survive Without Food for About 70 Days, But Only 5 Days Without Water​
• MIRA Safety: How Long Can You Go Without Food or Water​
• PMC: Intermittent and periodic fasting, longevity and disease