Preliminary research presented at NUTRITION 2026 suggests that eating within a shorter daily window could help support brain health as people age.

The findings were shared at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in Maryland and focused on older women who ate during an eight to nine hour period each day.

The small six month trial included 47 postmenopausal women who were obese or overweight and between the ages of 50 and 79. Each participant was advised to reduce daily food intake by about 500 calories.

The women were split into two groups. One group ate within an average window of 8.2 hours, usually from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while the other ate across a 12.3 hour window.

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Both groups lost about 15 pounds during the six month period. However, the shorter window group performed better on cognitive tests that measured spatial planning and problem solving.

That group also had fewer errors on memory and learning tests. At the same time, researchers found no meaningful differences in reaction time or multitasking ability.

Lead researcher Sue Shapses, Ph.D., a professor at Rutgers University, said the findings pointed to possible cognitive benefits tied to a reduced eating window. "Reductions in the eating window predicted greater improvements."

Shapses also said weight loss alone can help "ward off some of the aging-related cognitive decline." She added, "And these data suggest there may be additional benefits if you stop eating four hours prior to going to sleep and reduce food intake to eight to nine hours per day, compared to the usual eating window of 12 hours per day."

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Researchers said they believe time restricted eating may support brain health by helping regulate circadian rhythm, reducing inflammation and improving metabolic health. The study was described as a pilot study with a small number of participants.

The researchers also noted that women, as well as adults who are overweight or obese, tend to face a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as they age.

Lauri Wright, Ph.D., director of nutrition programs and associate professor at the USF College of Public Health, was not involved in the research. She told Fox News Digital that the findings were noteworthy because they point to meal timing as a possible factor.

"This is an interesting study because it suggests that when we eat may matter in addition to what and how much we eat," Wright said. "That suggests meal timing itself may have played a role, not just weight loss."

Wright said experts are still studying how intermittent fasting affects the brain. She noted that several biological mechanisms are being considered.

"Giving the body a longer overnight break from eating may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce chronic inflammation, support healthy circadian rhythms and allow cells more time for repair and maintenance," she said.

From a practical standpoint, New York based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco said eating within a shorter daily window often leads people to consume fewer calories. She said that can promote weight loss.

"We know that maintaining a healthy weight helps with virtually everything," DeCicco told Fox News Digital. "Eating within a restricted window helps people cut calories."

DeCicco also said fasting may help lower markers of inflammation and certain sources of oxidative stress. She noted that many people report "feeling better" when fasting, especially those with inflammatory conditions, which can include neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

"When you're fasting, you're giving your organs a chance to rest, you're giving the digestive system a chance to ‘rest and digest,’" she added.

Wright cautioned that intermittent fasting is not appropriate for everyone. She said she would advise against it for children and teens, pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone with a history of an eating disorder, and people with diabetes who are taking insulin.

She also said other habits have stronger evidence for protecting cognitive function over time. Those include regular physical activity, adequate sleep, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, avoiding smoking, maintaining social connections and following an overall healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet.

"Think of meal timing as one potential piece of the puzzle rather than a magic bullet."

For now, the research suggests a possible link between a shorter eating window and modest cognitive improvement in a small group of older women. Larger and longer studies are still needed before the approach is recommended specifically for brain health.