Cooking Just Once a Week May Help Lower Dementia Risk

Yes, Chef: Cooking at home is a good way to save money, eat fewer calories, and have more control over what you’re consuming. But new research has pointed to another potential health benefit of even just one home-cooked meal per week: lowered risk of dementia for older adults. 

The Study: Researchers analyzed questionnaire responses from 10,978 adults aged 65 and older enrolled in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study and tracked dementia diagnoses over the following six years. Nearly 1,200 of them had developed dementia, but male and female participants who cooked meals from scratch had a 23% and 27% reduced risk of the disease, respectively.

The Takeaway: Even novice chefs cooking simple meals experienced benefits. Cooking at home was associated with an up to 67% lowered risk of dementia for adults who were less skilled at cooking. Learning new skills combined with the prepping, chopping, and measuring ingredients stimulated the brain in addition to improving diet, according to the researchers. 

Keep in Mind: The study was observational, so it didn’t prove that cooking prevents dementia. Previous research indicates modifiable lifestyle habits, like diet, physical activity, and mental stimulation, can impact dementia risk.