So, for the past few months, I’ve been trying not to fast. The result? Longer eating windows, reduced concentration later in the morning, increased hunger and more distraction.

I’m sure that IF can work for lots of people – including women. The problem, however, is that there simply hasn’t been enough research to say whether eating in a constricted time window offers women any real benefits. Most of the studies have been done on male diabetes patients, rather than a clinically healthy cohort of mixed-gender patients.

That is, until now. Zoe – the research programme led by gut supremo Dr Tim Spector – has just published the results of its Big IF Study, looking into the impact that intermittent fasting has. The study started in October 2022, when over 140,000 people signed up to try out the way of eating.

This easier form of intermittent fasting boosts mood, reduces bloating and increases energy, according to the Zoe programme