Seven scientific benefits of eating together

Eating together forms a daily part of many of our lives, or if not every day, it’s an event that’s saved up for special occasions – and it feels just that. It’s special to sit around talking, laughing and sharing stories with loved ones, but in our modern lives when there’s always another email to answer, it can also feel like a luxury.

The experience of eating together and sharing time with friends and family is more than just a whimsical fantasy. There are real, tangible benefits to our health and well-being that come from sharing food together on a regular basis. So get the oven gloves at the ready, browse our recipes for inspiration and plan a meal to share with your loved ones. We’ll take you through the 7 reasons (backed by science) why eating together is something we should relish.

1. Psychological benefits

Eating together can genuinely make us feel good. In a 2017 study of 2000 adults aged over 18, those who ate socially more often were also more likely to feel happy and satisfied with life. Participants were balanced for factors that might have skewed results (including location, age and gender) and the results remained the same – regular social eaters felt happier.

2. Social benefits

The benefits don’t stop there. In the same study, those who ate with others more often were more engaged with local communities, had more friends, demonstrated a wider support network and were more capable of providing social and emotional support. It’s unsurprising when you think about it, but then again we don’t always give credit to the good that comes from sharing a plate of cheesy pasta with loved ones.

3. Physical & mental health benefits

Now things start to get really interesting. The impact of eating together (and improving our social network) doesn’t just have mental health benefits, there are physical benefits too. Aside from the endorphin-buzz we experience during a good old chin wag over a glass of wine, regularly eating with others has the potential to lower our risk of cardiovascular disease too.

It’s a bold claim, so let’s break it down. Research has shown us that feeling lonely is linked with physical health markers, like raised blood pressure for example. These markers are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, so the more we eat with others, the less lonely we will feel, the lower our risk of cardiovascular disease (to put it very simply). Why this link occurs we don’t yet know, but what better way to reduce loneliness than sharing a plate of delicious food with friends.

4. Dinners at home tend to be more nutrient dense

The rise of health and wellness has filtered into many aspects of the food industry, but eating out remains a sticking point. Don’t get us wrong, there are some brilliant restaurant initiatives (and healthy options are on the up) – but it’s still not the same as a healthy home-cooked meal. According to a 2017 study, eating out more frequently was associated with reduced fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as a reduced likelihood of being a healthy weight.

5. Eating at home is associated with a better diet overall

Things stretch further than a single home-cooked meal (even though we all feel extremely virtuous after a mouthful of kale). Studies have shown that eating more frequently at home is associated with a better dietary intake overall. This was regardless of family functioning, so getting the family together and eating a home-cooked meal is a pretty significant factor in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

6. Reduced risk of obesity later in life

Eating together as a family has the potential for long-standing health benefits. In a ten-year study, teens who ate with their family more frequently were less likely to be overweight 10 years later (which could be a knock-on effect of learning healthy habits at home).

7. A chance to get creative & explore new foods

This is one of our favourites. Getting creative in the kitchen is a great way to let off some steam, exploring new foods and getting your loved ones involved – it might even prove to be a talking point! Try our Poached Chicken with Saffron Rice for something with a little bit of spice, or Pesto Topped Mutton (made with Caerphilly cheese, watercress and hazelnuts) for a home-cooked dinner with a difference.

Eating together is more than just a mundane daily ritual. The act of sitting down with friends and family, even just once or twice a week, can have life-long positive impacts. So why not pick up the phone and invite an old friend over, or schedule in a date with your partner. We’ve got the recipes covered, the rest is up to you.

Molly is a Registered Nutritional Therapist.