Could our descendants be affected by our long periods of fasting? All the rage in weight-loss programmes, fasting is said to have benefits not only for health and weight loss, but also on lifespan. However, according to a British study, following such a diet could impact our descendants’ reproduction capacities, according to researchers from the University of East Anglia. “We know that reduced food intake increases the lifespan in many animals and can potentially improve health in humans,” outlined Dr Edward Ivimey-Cook from the university’s School of Biological Sciences. “However, little is known about the long-term effects of reduced food intake, including time-limited fasting, on distant descendants.