Sharing meals with others may do more than bring people closer — it could also support mental health, make food more enjoyable and help protect the brain as we age.

Known as “commensality”, the practice of eating with other people has been linked to a lower risk of depression and better emotional wellbeing. Researchers suggest that the social connection created around shared meals may also contribute to long-term brain health.

A study of 9,361 women aged 60 and over in China found that the number of people eating around the table was a clear predictor of depression risk, even after accounting for factors such as health, wealth and whether participants lived alone.

Research from Tokyo found a similarly strong association among people aged 65-74. Those who lived with their families but regularly ate alone had five times the odds of developing depressive symptoms compared with those who usually ate with others.

The World Happiness Report has also found a strong relationship between shared meals and emotional wellbeing. An analysis of around 150,000 people found that those who shared more meals with others tended to report higher levels of life satisfaction, with the association comparable to factors such as employment status and relative income.

Scientists believe there may be something particularly powerful about eating together. Eating can trigger the release of endorphins, which may strengthen social bonds, while research has also found that people can perceive food as more enjoyable when eating in someone else’s company.

The benefits may extend to the ageing brain. Japanese researchers reported in 2025 that people who regularly ate alone had reduced brain volume in areas linked to cognitive function, including the hippocampus and medial temporal lobe. While diet accounted for some of the differences, researchers suggested that reduced social connection could also play a role.

Shared meals may help by reducing stress and providing conversation and mental stimulation — both of which could support brain health, the researchers suggested.

Italy offers a striking example of how deeply shared meals can be embedded in culture. Italians share around nine meals together each week on average, compared with fewer than four in Japan and around seven to eight in the UK and US. Italian cuisine’s UNESCO recognition also highlights the role of meals in connecting families and communities.

And for people feeling isolated, researchers say the solution may be surprisingly simple: invite someone to eat.

Studies suggest people often underestimate how much others enjoy their company and how receptive they are to invitations to spend time together. A meal, then, could be more than just food — it could be an easy way to build friendships while supporting happiness and wellbeing.