A new study presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual conference, Nutrition 2026, has found evidence that limiting daily eating to an 8- to 9-hour window may improve brain health and memory performance in older women. Researchers say that not only what and how much people eat, but also when they eat, may play an important role in maintaining cognitive abilities.
According to the new medical research, keeping the daily eating period limited as people age may help support brain health. Preliminary findings presented at Nutrition 2026 showed that older women who consumed their food within an 8- to 9-hour window experienced slight improvements in cognitive abilities compared with women who ate over a period of 12 hours or more during the day.
The six-month pilot study involved 47 women aged 50 to 79 who were overweight or obese and had gone through menopause. All participants were instructed to reduce their daily food intake by approximately 500 calories.
Research Findings
The participants were divided into two groups. One group limited its eating window to an average of 8.2 hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while the other consumed food over a 12.3-hour period.
Although both groups lost around 15 pounds over six months, the women who restricted their eating window performed better on cognitive tests involving spatial planning and problem-solving. They also made fewer errors on memory tests. However, there was no significant difference in reaction speed or the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
According to the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Sue Shapses of Rutgers University, the findings suggest that reducing the eating window may help improve memory-related performance and reduce mistakes involving information recall during everyday activities.
How Does Meal Timing Affect the Brain?
According to Dr. Lori Wright, an associate professor at the University of South Florida, the research is significant because it suggests that, in addition to the amount and type of food consumed, the timing of meals may also matter. She said the benefits may extend beyond weight loss, with meal timing potentially playing an important role as well.
Experts say extending the fasting period overnight may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation and support cellular repair processes, all of which may be important for maintaining brain function over the long term.
Holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco said that when people remain without food for a period of time, it gives the digestive system and organs an opportunity to “rest,” potentially reducing inflammation and stress affecting the brain.
Precautions
Dr. Lori Wright stressed that intermittent fasting is not the only key to brain health. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and following a balanced Mediterranean-style diet have stronger evidence behind them.
The approach is also not considered suitable for children, teenagers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with eating disorders, or people with diabetes who use insulin. It should not be started without consulting a doctor.
