A small clinical study has found that reducing the daily eating window may offer moderate cognitive benefits for older women, in addition to aiding weight loss.

Study Design

The pilot study involved women with overweight or obesity who participated in a six-month weight loss program. One group consumed all their meals within an 8–9 hour window each day, while the other group ate over approximately 12 hours. All participants reduced their daily calorie intake by 500 calories.

The time-restricted eating group included 26 women who were advised to eat all their meals in less than 9 hours per day, typically from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On average, their eating window was 8.2 hours, compared to 12.3 hours in the other group.

Results

After six months, both groups lost an average of about 7 kg, with no significant difference in weight loss between them. However, women who limited their eating window performed better on tests of spatial planning and problem-solving. This group also made fewer errors on memory and learning tasks, although this difference was not statistically significant. No substantial differences were found in tests of reaction speed or multitasking.

Context and Future Directions

As people age, the prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, increases, especially among women and those with excess weight. Diet and lifestyle have long been considered risk factors, but few studies have directly assessed how changing these habits might reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

In this study, a shorter eating window was associated with greater improvements in cognitive function, particularly in everyday tasks involving memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Limitations and Next Steps

This was a small study, and larger trials are needed to confirm the findings. Future research aims to explore the mechanisms by which meal timing affects the brain, including the possible roles of circadian rhythms, inflammation, metabolic health, and biological pathways related to nutrient absorption.

The current data should be considered preliminary, as they have not yet undergone the full peer-review process required for publication in a scientific journal.