Restricting daily eating to a nine-hour window may help reduce the risk of developing dementia, particularly in overweight women, according to research presented by scientists from Rutgers University.
The study investigated 'time-restricted eating,' a dietary approach that involves consuming all daily calories within a specific, limited period, and its potential impact on cognitive function in individuals at risk for dementia.
Researchers examined 47 women aged between 50 and 79 who were classified as overweight or obese. All participants were instructed to reduce their daily calorie intake by 500. Additionally, 26 of the women were asked to confine their eating to a nine-hour window each day.
After six months, both groups experienced a similar average weight loss of 6.8 kg. However, the group practicing time-restricted eating demonstrated significant improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving tests. This group also made fewer errors on memory and learning assessments, although no significant differences were observed in multitasking or reaction time tests.
Scientists theorize that eating patterns may influence circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep cycles, body temperature, and hormone release. Dr. Sue Shapses, a professor at Rutgers University and Rutgers-RWJ Medical Centre who led the study, noted that while weight loss alone can mitigate some age-related cognitive decline, limiting the eating window to 8-9 hours per day, compared to a typical 12 hours, might offer additional benefits.
"These outcomes suggest a better ability to remember information during everyday tasks and reducing mistakes related to memory, attention and problem-solving," Dr. Shapses stated. "Reductions in the eating window predicted greater improvements."
The researchers emphasized that further studies with larger participant groups are needed to confirm these findings. They highlighted that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are becoming more prevalent with aging populations, and women and individuals who are overweight or obese face a higher risk. While diet and lifestyle factors have been linked to dementia risk, fewer studies have explored whether modifying these factors can actively reduce that risk.