A new study presented at the NUTRITION 2026 conference suggests that time-restricted eating may improve cognitive function in older women beyond the effects of weight loss. The research, led by Sue Shapses of Rutgers University, found that postmenopausal women who ate within an 8-to-9-hour window daily showed greater improvements in memory, attention, and problem-solving compared to those who ate over a 12-hour period.
Core Findings
The six-month study involved 47 overweight or obese women aged 50 to 79. All participants reduced their daily calorie intake by 500 calories, but only one group restricted their eating window to fewer than nine hours per day. Both groups lost about 8% of their body weight, but the time-restricted group performed better on cognitive tests measuring spatial planning, memory, and learning.
Study Limitations
Shapses cautioned that the findings apply only to postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity who are actively losing weight. The study did not include leaner women or men, so the results may not be generalizable to other populations.
Potential Mechanisms
Researchers hypothesize that time-restricted eating may support brain health by regulating circadian rhythms, reducing inflammation, and improving metabolic health. However, further research is needed to confirm these mechanisms and explore long-term effects.
Broader Implications
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are rising as populations age. Previous research has linked diet and lifestyle habits to dementia risk, but few studies have examined whether changing these habits can reduce that risk. This study adds to growing evidence that meal timing may play a role in cognitive health.