16:8 Intermittent Fasting Diet Really Works, Study Says

Intermittent fasting has been popular over the past few years and now, a new study showed that it is indeed an effective way to help obese people lose weight. Furthermore, a new type of intermittent fasting called the 16:8 diet, has shown efficacy in weight loss.

Though fasting diets have been known to promote overall health, this new fasting diet can both help obese people decrease weight and even lower their blood pressure readings.

The diet is called 16:8 because you can eat whatever you like for 8 hours and fast for the remaining 16 hours.

The study, pioneered by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, evaluates the benefit of the diet for obese people.

Published in the journal Nutrition and Healthy Aging, the study covered the response of 23 obese individuals who were aged 45 years on average and with an average body mass index (BMI) of 35.

They were asked to eat everything they want and how much they liked between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Later on, they were only given water and calorie-free beverages for the remaining 16 hours. All the study participants strictly followed the regimen for about 12 weeks.

The results showed that the participants consumed 350 fewer calories and lost 3 percent of their weight. Along with these effects, the participants had lower blood pressure, too.

Another perk of the new diet fad is that it's easier to maintain.

In fact, only a few people dropped out in the middle of the study period. There are no strict rules to follow and you can eat whatever you like.

Krista Varady, one of the study’s authors, said:

“But one of the benefits of the 16:8 diet may be that it is easier for people to maintain. We observed that fewer participants dropped out of this study when compared to studies on other fasting diets.”

She also added:

“The take-home message from this study is that there are options for weight loss that do not include calorie counting or eliminating certain foods.”

The study shows promise in weight loss, particularly among obese people.

Despite the promising results, the study authors said that further research is needed to see how effective the diet really is.