The 16:8 diet Fast to feel younger!

Not eating for 16 hours might sound daunting. But, for those in the know, this is the go-to diet for losing weight and wiping out wrinkles

Thanks to the 16:8 method, intermittent fasting is easier than ever. With this diet, the only restriction is that you eat all your food within an eight-hour time frame. Then, for 16 hours, you go without food altogether. Actor Jennifer Aniston is a fan of the 16:8 plan – and while her slim figure and ageless appearance show it’s effective, there’s scientific evidence to back the benefits too.

In a study by the University of Illinois, obese participants ate freely between 10am and 6pm, but only drank water or calorie free drinks for the remaining 16 hours. Over 12 weeks, they lost about 3% of their body weight and saw their blood pressure drop.

And that’s not all. Researchers in Japan found that as well as speeding up metabolism, which aids weight loss, fasting may also reverse the ageing process due to molecule changes in the body that could have a rejuvenating effect.

SIMPLE TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Clean your teeth after your last meal of the day to reinforce that your eating is done. O Sprinkle on cinnamon. The spice has a stabilising effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. O Go for whole grains. These are rich in fibre, which keeps hunger at bay for longer. O Enjoy green tea throughout your fast. It’s calorie-free and contains a type of phytochemical that briefly boosts metabolism. O Sit down and allow time for your meals, chewing each mouthful well.O Clear the house of unhealthy foods that you can’t resist.

Why 16:8 works

• Studies show that far fewer people drop out of the 16:8 diet than the do using other intermittent fasting methods, such as alternate-day or 5:2 fasting, because they feel less hungry.