Effect of Time-restricted Eating and Intermittent Fasting on Cognitive Function and Mental Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Prev Med Rep

Date 2024 May 22

PMID 38774517

Authors

Sina Sharifi

Fatemeh Rostami

Kimia Babaei Khorzoughi

Mahmoud Rahmati

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Emerging evidence suggests that dietary interventions hold promise for promoting cognitive function and mental well-being in aging populations. This systematic review aimed to examine the potential relationship between Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Intermittent Fasting (IFA) with cognitive function and mental health in older adults.

Methods: A thorough exploration was undertaken on electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, up to October 2023, following PRISMA standards. The evaluation of the quality and potential bias in the incorporated articles involved the use of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT).

Results: From a total of 539 articles initially identified, eight studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. Out of these eight studies, six focused on cognitive function, and 2 focused on mental health. The reviewed articles encompassed a wide range of population sizes, with the number of older adults studied varying from 10 to 1357, reflecting a diverse cohort of individuals. Conclusions.The findings suggest that TRE and IFA may have a positive impact on cognitive function and mental health in this population. However, additional research is needed to fully comprehend this relationship. Therefore, future research should specifically examine factors such as the duration and timing of the eating window in TRE, as well as the physical condition of older adults, to provide a more nuanced understanding of the cognitive and mental health benefits of TRE and IFA in older adults.

Citing Articles

Cognitive benefits of sleep: a narrative review to explore the relevance of glucose regulation.

De Longis E, Kassis A, Remond-Derbez N, Thota R, Darimont C, Donato-Capel L Sleep Adv. 2025; 6(1):zpae095.

PMID: 39850251 PMC: 11756301. DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae095.

Associations of Microbiota and Nutrition with Cognitive Impairment in Diseases.

Mlynarska E, Jakubowska P, Frak W, Gajewska A, Sornowska J, Skwira S Nutrients. 2024; 16(20).

PMID: 39458564 PMC: 11510709. DOI: 10.3390/nu16203570.

Intermittent Fasting: Myths, Fakes and Truth on This Dietary Regimen Approach.

Brogi S, Tabanelli R, Puca S, Calderone V Foods. 2024; 13(13).

PMID: 38998465 PMC: 11241639. DOI: 10.3390/foods13131960.

References

Carlson O, Martin B, Stote K, Golden E, Maudsley S, Najjar S . Impact of reduced meal frequency without caloric restriction on glucose regulation in healthy, normal-weight middle-aged men and women. Metabolism. 2007; 56(12):1729-34. PMC: 2121099. DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2007.07.018. View

Ooi T, Meramat A, Rajab N, Shahar S, Sharif R . Antioxidant Potential, DNA Damage, Inflammation, Glycemic Control and Lipid Metabolism Alteration: A Mediation Analysis of Islamic Sunnah Intermittent Fasting on Cognitive Function among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Nutr Health Aging. 2022; 26(3):272-281. DOI: 10.1007/s12603-022-1757-0. View

McAllister M, Pigg B, Renteria L, Waldman H . Time-restricted feeding improves markers of cardiometabolic health in physically active college-age men: a 4-week randomized pre-post pilot study. Nutr Res. 2020; 75:32-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2019.12.001. View

Currenti W, Godos J, Castellano S, Caruso G, Ferri R, Caraci F . Association between Time Restricted Feeding and Cognitive Status in Older Italian Adults. Nutrients. 2021; 13(1). PMC: 7827225. DOI: 10.3390/nu13010191. View

Song S, Stern Y, Gu Y . Modifiable lifestyle factors and cognitive reserve: A systematic review of current evidence. Ageing Res Rev. 2021; 74:101551. PMC: 8794051. DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101551. View

Kaptan Z, Akgun-Dar K, Kapucu A, Dedeakayogullari H, Batu S, Uzum G . Long term consequences on spatial learning-memory of low-calorie diet during adolescence in female rats; hippocampal and prefrontal cortex BDNF level, expression of NeuN and cell proliferation in dentate gyrus. Brain Res. 2015; 1618:194-204. DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.05.041. View

Cuschieri S . The CONSORT statement. Saudi J Anaesth. 2019; 13(Suppl 1):S27-S30. PMC: 6398298. DOI: 10.4103/sja.SJA_559_18. View

Melo H, Santos L, Ferreira S . Diet-Derived Fatty Acids, Brain Inflammation, and Mental Health. Front Neurosci. 2019; 13:265. PMC: 6448040. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00265. View

Headland M, Clifton P, Keogh J . Effect of Intermittent Energy Restriction on Flow Mediated Dilatation, a Measure of Endothelial Function: A Short Report. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018; 15(6). PMC: 6025364. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15061166. View

10.

Johnson D, Johnson J . Nrf2--a therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Free Radic Biol Med. 2015; 88(Pt B):253-267. PMC: 4809057. DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.07.147. View

11.

Marosi K, Mattson M . BDNF mediates adaptive brain and body responses to energetic challenges. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2013; 25(2):89-98. PMC: 3915771. DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2013.10.006. View

12.

Fusco S, Pani G . Brain response to calorie restriction. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2012; 70(17):3157-70. PMC: 11114019. DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1223-y. View

13.

Moro T, Tinsley G, Bianco A, Marcolin G, Pacelli Q, Battaglia G . Effects of eight weeks of time-restricted feeding (16/8) on basal metabolism, maximal strength, body composition, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors in resistance-trained males. J Transl Med. 2016; 14(1):290. PMC: 5064803. DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-1044-0. View

14.

Ceppa F, Mancini A, Tuohy K . Current evidence linking diet to gut microbiota and brain development and function. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2018; 70(1):1-19. DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2018.1462309. View

15.

Liang H, Ward W . PGC-1alpha: a key regulator of energy metabolism. Adv Physiol Educ. 2006; 30(4):145-51. DOI: 10.1152/advan.00052.2006. View

16.

Qiu G, Spangler E, Wan R, Miller M, Mattson M, So K . Neuroprotection provided by dietary restriction in rats is further enhanced by reducing glucocortocoids. Neurobiol Aging. 2012; 33(10):2398-410. PMC: 3374050. DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.11.025. View

17.

Fernandez-Rodriguez R, Martinez-Vizcaino V, Mesas A, Notario-Pacheco B, Medrano M, Heilbronn L . Does intermittent fasting impact mental disorders? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022; 63(32):11169-11184. DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2088687. View

18.

Stote K, Baer D, Spears K, Paul D, Harris G, Rumpler W . A controlled trial of reduced meal frequency without caloric restriction in healthy, normal-weight, middle-aged adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85(4):981-8. PMC: 2645638. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/85.4.981. View

19.

Bojang K, Manchana V . Nutrition and Healthy Aging: A Review. Curr Nutr Rep. 2023; 12(3):369-375. DOI: 10.1007/s13668-023-00473-0. View

20.

Halberg N, Henriksen M, Soderhamn N, Stallknecht B, Ploug T, Schjerling P . Effect of intermittent fasting and refeeding on insulin action in healthy men. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005; 99(6):2128-36. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00683.2005. View