Time-Restricted Eating Shows Early Cognitive Gains in Older Women on Weight-Loss Plan

A six-month pilot in 47 overweight/obese women aged 50–79 found that restricting eating to an 8–9 hour window (about 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) with a 500-calorie daily reduction yielded similar weight loss to a 12-hour window but produced greater improvements in spatial planning and problem-solving, with a trend toward fewer memory errors. No significant differences were seen in multitasking or reaction time. Findings are preliminary and require confirmation in larger studies; researchers will explore circadian, metabolic, and inflammation-related mechanisms. Presented at Nutrition 2026.