New Delhi: Snacks before bedtime are not just bad for your teeth and guts but can also lead to cognitive decline in old age. A preliminary study by the American Society for Nutrition found that eating within a shorter daily window may help protect certain thinking skills as people age.
A six-month trial found that older women who restrict eating to a minimum of about eight to nine hours a day performed better on planning and problem-solving tests than those who ate over 12 hours. The study published in Science Daily also found that both groups lost a similar amount of weight, suggesting that the timeline of food intake is as important as the quantity.
The study followed 47 women aged between 50 and 79 years who had been struggling with obesity. Researchers divided the women into two groups, with each participant allowed to consume only 500 calories per day.
While all participants lost approximately 15 pounds each, the time-restricted group also made fewer mistakes on tests involving memory and learning. But the study did not find any significant statistical change in reaction time or multitasking.
Principal investigator and Rutgers University professor Sue Shapses said that the study did not find any significant statistical change in reaction time or multitasking.
“There was a modest effect of time-restricted eating to improve spatial planning and problem-solving and on reducing errors related to memory and learning. These outcomes suggest a better ability to remember information during everyday tasks and reducing mistakes related to memory, attention and problem-solving. Reductions in the eating window predicted greater improvements,” Shapses added.
However, the study is not sufficient to explain why meal timing might affect the brain. Researchers urged further analysis and study into the interactions between circadian rhythm, inflammation, metabolic health, and the biological pathways that help the body sense and respond to nutrients.
The study comes at a time when cases of dementia and other cognitive disorders are on the rise among older women. Those with obesity are at a greater risk of dementia, diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Scientists have been studying the relationship between lifestyle and cognitive disorders for some time.