Science confirms it: we should eat together
The latest research by Oxford scientists shows that sharing meals can reduce the risk of depression and dementia.
"We do not sit at the table to eat, but to eat together." This 1st-century quote by Plutarch - a guiding principle of the Festival Taste the Mediterranean since its inception - has proven more relevant than ever in light of recent scientific research showing that the act of sharing a meal can reduce the risk of depression and dementia. "The sharing of meals is an essential mechanism for bonding and building trust and connecting with others," says Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor of economics and behavioural science as the University of Oxford. One of humanity's oldest practices - commensality, or the act of eating in the company of others - has a significant impact on our well-being; it can lower the risk of depression and protect against dementia.
Unfortunately, due to increasing isolation in the modern world, this practice has become a rarity.
Studies conducted in China and in Japan revealed that the number of people sitting around the table at mealtimes was a clear predictor of someone's risk of depression. And even more that people who ate alone have five times the odds of developing depressive symptoms than those who regularly ate in company. Individuals who regularly eat alone have reduced brain volume in key areas associated with cognitive function. Researchers warned that this neural decline could ultimately predispose them to dementia.
On average, Japanese people share fewer than four meals a week with others. In the UK and the US, that figure is around seven to eight, while in Italy, it approaches nine.
Italy is renowned for a dining culture that encourages socializing. The situation is similar in other Mediterranean countries whose cuisines have been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, which highlighted the key role meals play in "connecting with family and community - whether at home, in schools, or through festivals, celebrations, and social gatherings."
A scientific study concludes that a simple change in eating habits - connecting with others, sharing meals, and conversing while eating - could do wonders for both our bodies and brains. Beyond simply enhancing our enjoyment of food, these practices could provide the kind of mental stimulation that keeps the brain active well into old age and might even extend our lives.
