Most people try fasting with one goal in mind: losing weight.

But science has also discovered health benefits linked to whole-day, alternate-day, and time-restricted fasting, says Carolyn Williams, Ph.D., the registered dietitian that helped develop the new book The Mens Health Guide to Intermittent Fasting.

Scientists speculate that the benefits of short-term fasts may come from the structured break they provide to around-the-clock eating.

Even if you dont change the content of your diet, by controlling the time period in which your calories are consumed, you give your body a pause from a constant onslaught food, says Williams.

Maybe youre skeptical. But Williams says that, at first, she was too.

The Men's Health Guide to Intermittent Fasting

She studied the research. She looked at the data. She even tried a time-restricted fast herself. I expected the fast to affect my blood sugar because Im prone to low blood sugar and I know how I get without eating, Williams says.

But Williams says she was surprised to find that she had no trouble going 16 hours without eating. Her method: She stopped eating after dinner and fasted from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m., following the popular 16:8 intermittent fasting pattern, which leaves an 8-hour-long window for eating.

I find Im really not hungry; in fact, sometimes I have to remind myself to eat lunch, Williams says.

While more research is needed to determine if fasting is effective for long-term dieting, theres no debate that it works in the short-term.

By refraining from eating for at least 12 hours (ideally 16), your body starts burning through glucose and can begin tapping fat for fuel, explains Williams. Studies show that you can expect to lose between 3 and 8 percent of your bodyweight in as few as three weeks.

Atit Phetmuangtong / EyeEm

Compared to calorie-restriction diets, intermittent fasting tends to trigger more belly fat loss, the research suggests. Anecdotally, Williams says she senses greater energy and improved clarity of thought.

Here are some other potential upsides of intermittent fasting, each supported by research.

Whenever you restrict calories and lose weight, some of that weight comes from a reduction in muscle mass. That goes for intermittent fasts as well as traditional calorie-restriction diets.

However, at least one study conducted by the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois suggests that intermittent fasting may be more effective for retaining muscle mass.

The study compared overweight and obese adults who followed a calorie restriction diet with similar-weight subjects who restricted calories through intermittent fasting. After 12 weeks, the researchers found both diets to be equally effective in trimming body weight and fat mass, but less muscle was lost by the group that fasted.

Overweight people who could choose any 10-hour timeframe to eat as long as they refrained from eating the other 14 hours of the day saw a reduction in waist circumference and visceral abdominal fat after 12 weeks, according to a report in the journal Cell Metabolism.

The study in Cell Metabolism referenced above also demonstrated the potential of intermittent fasting to reduce risk of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

All the participants in the study were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health conditionsincluding high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides levelsthat occurring together boost the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

After 12 weeks, every participant experienced improvement in all of the common markers of metabolic syndrome.

A similar study in the journal Translational Research found that alternate-day fasting, in which participants restricted calories by 75 percent on a fast day, followed by a feed day without calorie restriction, resulted in clinically significant reductions in blood sugar and insulin resistance.

A study published in Nutrition and Healthy Aging demonstrated that participants who practiced 16:8 intermittent fasting without calorie counting significantly reduced their systolic blood pressure compared to a control group after 12 weeks.

Inflammation is your bodys natural way of fighting off infection, illness, and injury. But theres another type of inflammation, a chronic inflammation that can silently trigger heart disease and diabetes.

Smoking, mental stress, and a regular diet of fatty, fried, or sugary foods are common causes. Several studies have shown that intermittent fasting may induce an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces risk of those metabolic diseasesand even improve pulmonary function in people with asthma.

Whats more, a reduction in inflammation due to short-term fasting appears to protect the brain from memory disorders and depression, according to a study in Obesity.

Even when you dont lose weight while on an intermittent fasting routine, your cells may benefit from extra protection, according to a study in Cell Metabolism.

The study assigned men with prediabetes to either a 6-hour early eating period, where they could eat only from 8 a.m. until dinner before 2 p.m., fasting the rest of the day, or a 12-hour feeding period.

At the end of five weeks, the researchers found that the men on the early time- restricted fast improved blood pressure and insulin sensitivity (as expected), but also improved resistance to oxidative stress, where unstable molecules called free radicals can damage proteins and DNA.

Rodent studies suggest that intermittent fasting, which is much easier to maintain than extreme calorie cutting, may boost lifespan, too. In one study comparing rats who were given unrestricted access to food to rats who were fed every other day, the rats who fasted lived 83 percent longer than those who gorged themselves.

For a quick primer on how to start a health-boosting fast yourself, plus dozens of delicious recipes for brunch, dinner, and even Keto-diet-friendly meals, check out The Mens Health Guide to Intermittent Fasting here.

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7 Intermittent Fasting Benefits That Aren't Weight Loss - Men's Health

(MENAFN - NewsBytes) Tired of hearing the same old-school suggestions for losing weight? We feel you.

As more people are turning health-conscious nowadays, diet experts around the world are breaking the monotony and coming up with unusual and bizarre tricks to help us get slimmer.

Here is a collection of weight loss tips and tricks that might seem a bit weird, but they actually work.

Turns out, food photography is not another useless obsession of our generation.

Believe it or not, snapping your food can actually help you in shedding some extra kilos.

Well, if you are wondering how, here's the catch- by taking pictures of every meal you are going to consume, you might think twice before indulging or overeating, thereby keeping your intake in check.

Traditionally, less noise and soft lighting have been associated with better sleep quality, but a certain report by Today stated that reducing the noise and dimming lights can help in losing weight as well.

The trick behind it is to help diners focus mainly on their food. This will help you enjoy your meal better, and you may end up eating mindfully.

Yes, you read it right, sniffing can result in weight loss.

According to research, sniffing tends to make people feel less hungry, thereby making them eat less and eventually aiding in weight loss.

But how? Basically it's all mind game. By sniffing food items, you can trick your brain into thinking that you are actually eating them.

Interesting, right? Don't forget to try it.

This is quite a weird regime that some weight-conscious women in France follow.

They take a ribbon and tie it around their waist area, underneath their clothes, usually before going out for dinners/parties.

This helps them stay conscious of their food intake. The tightening ribbon acts as an indication that perhaps it is time to stop munching.

Russians tend to grow their own vegetables and fruits, which automatically makes their food consumption healthier than those who depend mainly on junk/fast food.

Not only do they grow their eatables, they also preserve them for keeping their food healthy for as long as possible.

Also, it is more pocket-friendly and way better than buying foods loaded with chemicals/fertilizers.

Stay healthy!

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Five weird weight-loss tricks that actually work - MENAFN.COM

Former Love Island star Alexandra Cane recently wowed fans with her dramatic two stone weight loss.

Revealing a trim, toned body that has left her feeling motivated and full of energy, Alexandra, 28, leapt into the new year with the launch of her new fitness app in the hope of encouraging others to feel good about their bodies.

Now a tiny size six, Alexandra achieved her stunning new physique in just a matter of months, and she is confident that others can do the same.

The reality-star-turned-health-guru is constantly smiling and showing off her beach-ready body, yet also shining with an inner confidence that is more than just skin deep.

Alexandra has since revealed there are a number of features that contribute to her overall transformation.

The Mirror has taken a look at the different steps that Alexandra has been taking to achieve her ultimate "happy body".

Even though Alexandra was on her weight loss programme during the Christmas period, the brunette bombshell was able to enjoy food during the festive season and still achieve her fabulously toned abs.

The answer, according to the Love Islander, is through calorie counting.

Writing in a blog post for OK! Magazine , Alexandra admitted that Christmas wasnt all a strict regime.

I spent Christmas with my family and I did indulge in a few festive treats. I actually planned to do that because its all about the balance and on my eating plan you can be really flexible with it because its based on calorie counting.

The diet plan was created by nutritionist Amanda Ursell and features in the new Happy Body app.

Having the freedom to choose what you eat as part of the life-changing diet regime, appears to have certainly contributed to her happiness.

"If people are wanting to lose weight there's no restrictions they can still have their cheats and treats like sweets and alcohol, it's all about understanding the calories so everything is in moderation and portion control Alexandra told The Mirror in a recent interview.

"It's all about understanding what you're consuming and not focusing too much on the scales. It's about calories in and calories out, it's really simple and you can still enjoy all the foods you like and there are some beautiful recipes on there,"

In her new fitness app, The Happy Body, users have access to ten minute daily fitness videos which will help users get their bodies into shape, and fast.

Although the workouts are a mere ten minutes long, budding users shouldnt be deceived by their length.

The High Intensity Interval Training will work all parts of your body and will leave you aching.

Alexandra recently explained in her blog on OK! Magazine, that this type of HIIT training has the same benefits as an hour of cardio.

Enough of the self indulgent bikini shots.... she admitted alongside a stressful-looking selfie.

This is really what I look like after doing my Happy Body plan HIIT workouts. SCHWEATINGGGGG! You get what you work for - not what you wish for! Have a fabulous Saturday gang!!

When Alexandra began her fitness journey, she explained that her motivation came from wanting to feel better.

I set out on this journey to feel better; I suffered with anxiety, I was unfit, I craved that discipline that Id had all throughout my childhood from dancing, I was reactive to things and people unnecessarily, she shared on social media.

So I decided to make changes (which is all in my plan) and start healing from within, which in turn has got me the results both physically and mentally.'

Although a changing mindset comes alongside a tough workout routine, she explained to followers that the mental growth was completely life changing even though her body was changing too.

One tip she shares with fans is using numbers instead of words of encouragement, is to use numbers. For Alexandra, it was a simple 3, 2, 1 countdown whenever she was getting frustrated or tired.

When I had to pause, I would literally stop and count myself down and reset and then go!

Speaking to The Mirror, Alexandra explained how she hopes to spread her mindset among other people.

"I've got so much more energy now that I can motivate myself and I feel confident to inspire others now and want to share this amazing feeling with someone else.

The whole point of the app is being able to feel comfortable in your own home where you don't feel overwhelmed and Aaron is there to get you in the right mindset, it's supposed to be really fun and encouraging and to get people to the best versions of themselves.

No surgery. No Lipo. No quick fads. No detox teas. Just effort, consistency, knowledge and application, Alexandra recently wrote.

There is no quick fix to achieving Alexandras stunning transformation but she is proof that the benefits outweigh the hard work, especially when it comes to achieving happiness and body confidence all in one.

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Alexandra Cane's jaw-dropping weight loss down to quick workouts and positive thinking - Mirror.co.uk

The best weight loss breakfast food is the might egg. Eaten boiled, poached, scrambled or fried, eggs offer endless variety and are filling and nutritious, making them an excellent choice for dieters.

One large egg is only about 78 calories, making it a lower calorie option, even with veggies and cooking oil added.

An omelette, for example, would use three large eggs, making 240 calories.

Add in even a large portion of vegetables, and slimmers are looking at 300 calories.

Sensible use of oil or butter - say one teaspoon - adds about 50 calories to the meal.

READ MORE: Weight loss: Replace belly fat with lean abs with these top tips from celebrity PT

It is not just the low calorie profile of eggs that makes them a great choice for starting the day.

They are also very filling, meaning those who eat them are less likely to reach for a sugary snack mid-morning.

Eggs are filling thanks to their high protein content. Protein is known to reduce appetite and increase fullness - the holy grail for dieters.

The Satiety Index also shows eggs rank highly. The index shows how successful foods are at keeping people full and reduce calories later on.

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Eating eggs is thought to boost metabolism, which is incredibly helpful for those attempting to lose weight.

This quality is thought to work in eggs because they contain all of the essential amino acids in the right ratios, allowing the body to easily use the protein in them.

A high protein diet has been proven to boose metabolism by up to 100 calories a day, thanks to a process called the thermic effect of food.

This is the energy required by the body to metabolise food, and is higher for protein then fat or carbs, meaning high protein foods such as eggs help burn more calories.

There have been numerous studies showing the positive effects of eating eggs versus other popular breakfast food.

One study followed overweight women eating eggs or bagels. The results showed that eating eggs instead of carb-heavy bagels increased their fullness and saw them consume fewer calories over the next 36 hours.

Similarly, a study following men eating eggs or bagels showed a reduction in calorie intake over the next 24 hours.

The study also showed the egg choice caused a more stable blood glucose and insulin response, and also supressed ghrelin, the hunger hormone.

Eggs can be prepared as a frittata, an omlette, a tortilla, baked, scrambled, fried, poached or boiled.

While eggs are one of the best sources of protein, there are others slimmer can try at breakfast.

Smoked salmon is popular, as are other fishes such as mackerel. Meat eaters may also like baked ham in the morning.

Those wanting to go down the simple route could try a protein shake.

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Best breakfast for easy weight loss - eat this protein-fuelled food to lose weight fast - Express

The secret to Adeles astonishing weight loss appears to be a recipe of healthy eating, magic crystals,physical exercise, and banning sugar from her diet altogether.

The 31-year-old chart topping starhas left fans desperate to know her weight loss tips after dropping an incredible seven stone over the past couple of years.

However, it would seem a healthy diet and exercise are not the only ingredients to success here as hypnotherapy and the magic power of crystals are also said to have contributed to the stars glowing new figure.

Last weekend, fans were left doing a double take as a slimline Adele wasspotted splashing around on the beaches of Antiguaas she enjoyed a winter break with fellow British stars Harry Styles and James Corden.

Adeles images on the beach are being widely commented on social networks, where they have quickly gone viral. In some of them we can see her in the company of Harry Styles and James Corden , two Britons doing well in the United States, with whom he has established a good friendship with.

She also took to her Spanish twitter account to share pictures of her on a beach in the carribean, a recent holiday she took accompanied fellow Brits Harry Styles andJames Corden.

But without a doubt, the striking thing about the photos is how thin Adele looks.The English mediasay that her physical transformation is due 90% to a change in dietwhere she has completely eliminated sugar from her diet (admitting she has a sweet tooth) and pastries, among many other foods.

Fans love the new look, this new fitter figure of Adele, but there are those who believe that it has been a very rapid metamorphosis and that it could be dangerous for her health.At the moment, she is delighted with her weight loss and her life as a separate woman.

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RUMOUR HAS IT: The secret to Adele's astonishing weight loss - Euro Weekly News

An inspirational slimmer has shared some words of advice after he lost a staggering seven stone with Slimming World.

When he was younger, Haydn Knight lacked confidence and his weight held him back from doing the things he wanted to do. Now he is a different person.

Haydn joined his local Slimming World group in St Austell and through diet and exercise he met his target weight and went on to join the Royal Navy.

Five years on and Haydn still looks incredible. He has kept off six stone and lives a much healthier and happier lifestyle.

He now lives in Truro with his girlfriend and after serving four years in the Navy has a new job with Network Rail.

Haydn credits the support he received at Slimming World for his amazing transformation.

Passing on some words of encouragement to help others hoping to shed a few pounds after Christmas, he said: "My advice would be to enjoy it, dont go seeking a quick fix or rush it. The weight loss journey is the easy bit looking back its the maintaining thats hard.

"At Slimming World there is a strong group of people looking to help you out and to encourage you to reach your targets, for me having the support in class encouraged me to do well.

"You share stories and recipes and its a really good atmosphere.

"First joining at 21 stone I was very shy and nervous but all the consultants are great and put you at ease.

"There are foods that you will like, there are so many tasty healthier alternatives to use so a lot of your favourite meals can be made and enjoyed."

This is Haydn's story that he shared with Slimming World when he was 22.

When I left school aged 16, I weighed around 20st. My weight problem had started when I was 12 and moved to Cornwall after my parents separated. Perhaps part of it was living in a house full of boys: Id always pile my plate up quickly before my brothers could wolf down all the food. Neither they, nor my mum or stepdad, had issues with their weight, though. I was also obsessed with playing on my games console and would sit for hours snacking and gaming.

After leaving school I enrolled on a sports course at college, but I soon dropped out because I didnt feel confident. I joined another course at a catering college, then quit that one for the same reason. I didnt know what I wanted to do with my life and always felt that my weight was holding me back.

People would tease me about my size in what they thought was a friendly way. The truth was that I was touchy about my body and would cry about it in private. The more people told me to lose weight, the more I gave up even trying.Working at a fast-food restaurant really didnt help.

Ive always cared about my appearance Id have loved to wear designer clothes like my friends. However much effort I made to look good, I had no confidence at all.And, although I socialised with friends, I wouldnt chat a girl up in a bar. I was single until I met my now ex-girlfriend at work.

It was she who introduced me to Slimming World. She mentioned that she was going and asked me if Id like to join her. Ill admit I thought it was a womans thing I hadnt heard of men going to slimming clubs.

I was pretty scared that first night when I opened the door I saw about 30 women there and only one or two blokes. I couldnt have been made to feel more welcome, though. When my consultant told me how much I weighed, I was shocked. She was very reassuring and told me not to worry, and just to stick to the plan for a week, get to know it and focus on all the things I could eat. I was amazed to hear that I could still have burgers as long as I made them with lean mince and I could even have chips!

I went home that first night 100% determined to have a great week. I made Slimming World roast gammon and chips, and a big roast dinner, and introduced foods that we didnt usually buy, things like courgettes and asparagus.

Three months later I went on holiday to Greece, and forgot all about Food Optimising! I drank beer and ate lots of bread and when I got back Id put on 8lbs. I wasnt disheartened I got straight back on plan and the next week Id lost those 8lbs.

From then on, I lost a steady 2-3lbs every week. Id started my weight-loss journey with a 44ins waist and by the end of it I was wearing size 32ins. My boss got fed up with me asking for new uniforms...

See more picture's of Haydn's transformation by scrolling through the gallery below

Just before Christmas that year my girlfriend broke up with me. I was heartbroken, and realised that I could go one of two ways: I could comfort eat and pile all the weight back on, or I could stay focused and get on with my life. I chose the latter, and now I honestly think the break-up was the best thing that could have happened. I vowed that Id do three things: get to my target weight, pass my driving test and apply for a job in the Royal Navy.

I knew Id have to do a mile-and-a-half run for my Navy fitness test.Id always played rugby, even at my biggest, though Id barely last a whole game and certainly never did any sprinting. So I decided it was time I began running as well. When I went to the Navy careers office to sign up, I just scraped in under their weight limit, so I knew Id have to get fitter and slimmer to pass the medical test six months later.

I spent those six months building up my fitness, and had my medical on 26 June, the same week as my 22nd birthday. I even sacrificed going out to celebrate because I wanted to feel my best on the day. Id applied to be a weapon engineer a very hands-on, physical job, so you have to be fit. When I found out Id passed, I was really excited.

Just over a month later, in August, I reached my target weight. Id been aiming for my 7st award, and it was a brilliant feeling to be told Id made it. The difference in the way I look is so noticeable that people dont recognise me. Even my dad, who lives in Birmingham and hadnt seen me for six months, walked straight past me in a hotel lobby!

Looking back, I still cant quite believe the way I used to eat, or how quickly I could change my life. Today, I have filling, nutritious food, Ive given my games console to my younger brother and I go to the gym pretty much every day to hit the weights. I keep my biggest jeans in my wardrobe, just to remind me why I never want to go back to my old habits.

My mum is so proud of what Ive achieved. She says my confidence has soared and that Ive become a different person. Shes right! Two years ago I thought Id hit a dead end; now my future is looking brighter than ever.

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Slimming World star lost 7 stone - and five years on he still looks great - Cornwall Live