Ethiopian Woman Claims to Have Not Eaten or Drank for 16 Years

Muluwork Ambaw Baffles Medical Community with Unusual Condition

Muluwork Ambaw, a 26-year-old Ethiopian woman, has made headlines for her astonishing claim that she has not consumed food or water in over 16 years.

Zero Calorie Intake Raises Eyebrows

According to the website Oddity Central, most humans experience hunger within just a few hours of abstaining from food and drink. However, Ambaw asserts that her appetite abruptly vanished when she was 10 years old, and she has not eaten or drunk anything since.

Normal Lifestyle Without Sustenance

Despite her lack of sustenance, Ambaw reportedly leads a normal life. She has been described as energetic and capable of performing daily tasks such as cooking and running errands.

Medical Examinations Provide No Evidence of Nourishment

Ambaw has undergone medical evaluations in Ethiopia, but no examination has conclusively verified her extraordinary claim. Physicians at an Addis Ababa hospital confirmed that there was no detectable evidence of food in her digestive system during their examination.

Viral Attention Sparks Investigation

Ambaw's case recently gained widespread attention after travel blogger Drew Binsky visited Ethiopia and sought her out. Binsky's encounter was documented in a viral video that prompted further media interest.

Not the First to Step into the Spotlight

Ambaw's story was first reported in 2016, when a viral post claimed a young girl had survived without consuming food. Journalists and television crews subsequently descended upon her remote village to investigate the peculiar case.

Losing the Appetite Overnight

Ambaw recalls the last meal she ate, which consisted of a traditional Ethiopian stew and lentils. After that night, her hunger simply disappeared. Ambaw initially lied to her family, claiming to have eaten, but she eventually revealed the truth.

No Toiletries Needed

Ambaw maintains that since she hasn't ingested anything for 16 years, she also does not use the restroom. The only time she requires a bathroom is for bathing purposes.

Plans for Further Medical Scrutiny

In 2021, Borkena, an Ethiopian news blog, reported that the country's Prime Minister had heard of Ambaw's claims and arranged for doctors in Dubai to examine her. In a recent interview with Binsky, the 26-year-old stated that the medical professionals found nothing unusual but did not specify if they monitored her to determine if she could genuinely survive without consuming food or water.

Resigned Acceptance of the Unexplained

"I have nothing to say. It is God's work, and I accept it," Ambaw remarked.

A Puzzling Phenomenon

While individuals have claimed to abstain from food for extended periods, Ambaw's assertion that she also requires no fluids is particularly perplexing. The Guinness World Record for the longest food and water fast is 18 days, a feat achieved by a man who was incarcerated and neglected.