Skipping breakfast, eating late dinners linked to higher dementia risk: Japanese study
A large Japanese study finds that skipping breakfast or eating dinner late is associated with an increased risk of dementia among older adults.
Key Takeaways
AIA recent Japanese study that tracked 283,000 people over the age of 72 for several years has found a link between eating habits and the development of senile dementia.
The results showed that those who regularly ate dinner late (less than two hours before bedtime, more than three times a week) faced a 17% higher risk of developing dementia. Similarly, individuals who frequently skipped breakfast (more than three times a week) had a 13% increased risk.
No direct causal relationship
Professor Mikhail Koryakin explained that while these percentages are modest, they are statistically significant due to the large sample size. He emphasized that the findings indicate an association, not a direct causal relationship, and may serve as an early warning sign of disrupted daily routines, poor appetite, or forgetfulness before a dementia diagnosis.
He also noted that other health factors—such as sleep disorders, diabetes, obesity, smoking, or alcohol addiction—are often linked to late-night eating. However, the elevated dementia risk persisted even after accounting for these factors.
Impact of meal timing on the brain
According to the professor, the body's biological clock plays an important role, as bodily functions slow down at night and the pancreas is not prepared to digest large amounts of food. Eating dinner late can cause sharp increases in glucose and insulin, which may negatively affect blood vessels and nerve cells over time.
He added that intermittent fasting between dinner and breakfast helps cells undergo the "self-cleaning" process known as autophagy. However, overeating at dinner and skipping breakfast can negate this benefit.
Recommendations for brain health
- Eat dinner three to four hours before bedtime to support brain health, sleep, and weight management.
- Avoid regularly skipping breakfast, especially for older adults, even if the meal is light.
- Maintaining regular meal times is more important than focusing on a single meal or specific timing.
Researchers also stressed that a regular eating schedule is as important as food quality for maintaining cognitive health with age. However, they noted that other factors—such as genetics, education, physical activity, and social engagement—remain crucial in preventing dementia.