Japanese scientists followed the cases of 283,000 people aged over 72 years over several years to determine whether dietary patterns were linked to the development of senile dementia, and came to two simple conclusions.
First, those who eat dinner late (less than two hours before bedtime, more than three times a week) have a 17 percent higher risk of developing dementia.
Secondly, those who regularly skip breakfast (more than three times a week) have a 13 percent higher risk of developing dementia.
Does this mean that those who skip breakfast will develop dementia sooner or later?
According to Professor Mikhail Kuryakin, these percentages may seem modest, but they are statistically significant given the large sample size. However, this does not mean that eating dinner late or skipping breakfast causes dementia. It is not a cause, but rather a correlation. It can be considered an early warning sign. A person may begin to lose their daily routine, experience a loss of appetite, or forget to eat for many years before receiving a medical diagnosis.
Moreover, it's not that simple. As is well known, people who eat late often suffer from sleep disorders, diabetes, weight gain, heavy smoking, or alcoholism. But even taking these factors into account, the risk remains, and the impact of meal timing cannot be completely ruled out.
According to the professor, we have an internal biological clock (circadian rhythm). At night, all bodily systems slow down, and the pancreas is not prepared for a large amount of food. Eating late at night leads to a sharp rise in glucose and insulin levels, which, over time, negatively affects blood vessels and nerve cells.
Furthermore, intermittent fasting (the period between dinner and breakfast) helps cells "self-clean" themselves. This process is called autophagy. If a person eats a heavy dinner late at night and then skips breakfast, the subsequent overeating in the evening is likely to negate this benefit.
According to him, the Japanese study is a valuable addition to our knowledge. Based on this data, we can offer a simple recommendation:
Try to eat dinner three to four hours before bedtime. This benefits the brain, stomach, sleep, and weight.
Breakfast should not be skipped regularly, especially by older adults. Even a light breakfast helps regulate metabolism throughout the day.
Eating dinner late or skipping breakfast once a month doesn't matter, but the routine remains the most important thing.
This demonstrates that diet is just as important as the components of food in maintaining health as we age. To maintain mental clarity in old age, attention must be paid to the quality of food and the timing of meals. This is simple, free, and requires no medication.
But the belief that this will completely protect against dementia is a mistake, because there are many other factors (such as genetics, education, physical activity, and social interactions) that play a very important role.
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