Abstract

THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF TIME-RESTRICTED EATING ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Het Patel*, Dr. Vijayakumar P.S. and Sahana A.U.

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Abstract

Background: There is evidence to suggest that lack of physical activity, a common experience among university students, can negatively impact cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and decision making. Time-restricted eating (TRE) can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidative stress and increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which can support cognitive function and neural plasticity. TRE may also have a protective effect on the brain, reducing inflammation and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Aim of the study: The immediate effect of 18 hours intermittent fasting (TRE) on cognitive function among university students. Material & methods: Thirty healthy university students to observe the immediate effects of a 16:8 hour time-restricted eating regimen for one day. Participants were recruited through convenient sampling and were between the ages of 18-40, with exclusion of individuals with health issues, on psychiatric medication, or visual impairment. The study used a single group pre-post design. Results: Immediate effect of TRE showed that 5.2% significant increase (P< 0.05) in total attempted score on DLST. Similarly, there was 5.6% significant increase (P < 0.05). and there was 163% significant reduction (P< 0.001) in wrong attempt scores. Immediate effect of TRE showed that 21.4% significant increase (P< 0.01) in total attempted score on SLCT. Similarly, there was 21% significant increase (P = 0.01) in NS. However, there was 38.2% decrease in wrong attempt score also (P = 0.01). Conclusion: The immediate effects of timerestricted eating on cognitive functions among university students have been found to be positive.

Keywords: TRE: Time-restricted eating, Intermittent fasting, Cognitive functions.