This eating habit could help boost brain health, study finds - USA Today

What the report says

USA Today reported that preliminary research from Rutgers University suggests limiting daily eating to an eight- to nine-hour period may be linked to modest cognitive benefits for some older women. The findings came from a six-month clinical trial presented at NUTRITION 2026, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, and have not yet completed peer review for journal publication.

The trial followed 47 women ages 50 to 79 who were overweight or had obesity. All participants were told to cut about 500 calories from their daily intake. One group of 26 women also kept meals and snacks within a shorter daily window, averaging 8.2 hours, often from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The comparison group ate across an average 12.3-hour span. Both groups lost roughly 15 pounds by the end of the study.

According to the report, the time-restricted eating group showed stronger results on tests involving spatial planning and problem-solving. They also made fewer errors on some memory and learning measures, though those differences were not statistically significant. Researchers did not find notable differences in reaction time or multitasking.

Lead investigator Sue Shapses of Rutgers said weight loss itself can help protect against age-related cognitive decline, while the trial suggests there may be added benefit from ending food intake several hours before sleep and keeping eating to a shorter daily span. USA Today noted that researchers and outside experts cautioned the study was small and preliminary. Future research is expected to explore possible mechanisms, including circadian rhythms, inflammation, metabolism and nutrient-sensing pathways.