Eating with others may protect the brain and mental health

A simple daily habit may have a greater impact on mental and brain health than we think: sitting at the table and eating with other people, writes the BBC .

Scientists call this practice “commensality,” or sharing meals with others. Beyond food, this ritual creates opportunities for communication, social bonding, and strengthening relationships, elements that are closely linked to well-being.

According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, professor of economics and behavioral sciences at the University of Oxford, sharing meals is an important way to build trust and connection between people.

How much does it affect mental health?

One of the studies conducted in China analyzed around 9,300 women over the age of 60, looking at the link between the way they ate and the risk of depressive symptoms.

The results showed that the number of people sitting at the table during meals was significantly associated with the risk of depression. The association remained even after the researchers took into account other factors, including health status, wealth and whether people lived alone.

Another study, conducted in Japan, reached a similar conclusion. People aged 65–74 who lived with family but regularly ate alone were about five times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who ate meals in company.

Shared meals are also linked to happiness

Another important source of data is the "World Happiness Report", which in 2024 included questions on the eating habits of people in different countries around the world.

About 150,000 people were asked how many times during the last week they had had lunch or dinner with someone they knew.

Data analysis showed a consistent relationship: the more meals shared with others, the higher the level of emotional well-being and satisfaction with life.

According to De Neve, the effect was so significant that the frequency of shared meals resulted in an indicator of life satisfaction comparable to important factors such as employment status and relative income.