New findings suggest that frequently using the salt shaker could have long-term effects on memory and overall brain health.
Researchers, communicating in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, report that elevated sodium intake appears to impair episodic memory—the kind of memory we use to recall personal experiences and specific past occurrences.
This effect, which could lead to forgetting anything from where one parked their car to their first day of school, was mainly observed in male participants, according to the study authors.
The researchers stated that this correlation was not apparent among the female participants involved in the investigation.
“Male participants also exhibited higher blood pressure, which is influenced by sodium intake, but further research is certainly needed to consider gender differences and how sodium consumption can be incorporated as one of the modifiable lifestyle factors aimed at slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” remarked Samantha Gardner of Edith Cowan University in Australia.
For this recent study, scientists evaluated the salt intake of over 1,200 individuals across a six-year period, with males constituting 41% of the group.
The participants’ brain function was assessed every 18 months using a suite of cognitive tests, as reported by the researchers.
The data revealed that men who initially consumed more sodium experienced a quicker decline in their episodic memory capabilities.
The study team noted that this research was not designed to account for this association and cannot establish a definitive cause-and-effect link between sodium and memory.
Gardner suggested that sodium might contribute to brain inflammation, damage to blood vessels, and reduced blood flow to the brain.
“Our findings offer preliminary evidence linking increased sodium consumption with cognitive performance, but more investigation is required to fully grasp how and why this relationship exists,” Gardner explained.
“Previous studies have pointed towards high sodium intake potentially contributing to brain processes related to cognitive impairment; nevertheless, further research is crucial to pinpoint the underlying mechanisms and formulate future dietary guidelines intended to lower dementia risk,” she added.
In the United States, the recommendation is to consume under 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily, accounting for both naturally occurring sodium in food and added salt.
For comparison, the researchers pointed out that roughly 2,000 milligrams of sodium is present in a single teaspoon of table salt; three to four slices of pizza; two hamburgers; 300 grams of salted peanuts; and 140–170 grams of cured deli meats.
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