Intermittent fasting is one of the most recent diet trends to hit the mass market. Hailed as an all-round beneficial diet, there are a few key things to know before jumping on the band wagon. 

What is it? 

Traditionally, intermittent fasting involved eating only during an 8 hour period of the day, and fasting for the other 16 hours. Some people believe this benefits the body’s circadian rhythm or natural internal clock. With no restrictions on the types or amount of food that can be consumed during the 8 hour window, many people find this relatively easy to follow. 

What are the benefits? 

Intermittent fasting is a common weight loss method, often found to be beneficial for weight or fat loss. Also believed to be more in tune with the body’s internal clock, intermittent fasting can be highly beneficial for many people. It is believed to improve your metabolism, decrease inflammation, improve cell repair and support a healthy gastrointestinal track. 

What you should know: 

While intermittent fasting is believed to have many health benefits it is important that you consult your GP or nutritionist before embarking on any form of diet.