Restricting your eating to just eight hours a day and having no food after 6pm could slash your risk of suffering from dementia, new research suggests.In a recent study, researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey recruited overweight or obese women over 50 years old and put them on a diet plan.All participants were told to reduce their food intake by 500 calories per day, but half were also told to eat in a time restricted window, also known as intermittent fasting.After six months, both groups had lost 15lbs (6.8kg), but those who only ate between 10am and 6pm had significant improvements on memory and learning tests.Further examination showed they also had improved spatial planning and problem solving skills compared to those who ate when they wanted. Researchers said the results suggested it 'may be possible to reduce the risk of dementia by eating during fewer hours of the day.' Dr Sue Shapses, a nutritionist who led the study, said: 'Losing weight alone will ward off some of the aging-related cognitive decline.'[But] these data suggest there may be additional benefits if you stop eating four hours before going to sleep and reduce food intake to eight to nine hours per day, compared with the usual eating window of 12 hours per day.'Intermittent fasting may reduce your risk of dementia, according to a small study