High salt intake linked to memory decline in older men, study suggests

Key Points:

• A six-year Australian study involving over 1,200 adults aged 60+ found that higher dietary sodium intake was linked to faster episodic memory decline in men, but not in women, suggesting sodium as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline in older males.
• The study proposes that men's higher sodium consumption and elevated diastolic blood pressure may contribute to this sex-specific effect, as blood pressure is a known risk factor for cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s diseases.
• Researchers noted limitations including reliance on self-reported sodium intake at baseline only, lack of data on salt added during cooking or at the table, and a predominantly Caucasian sample, which may affect generalizability.
• Experts recommend reducing sodium intake by limiting processed and high-sodium foods such as deli meats, canned goods, and salty snacks, and replacing them with unprocessed, heart-healthy options like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
• While the findings are preliminary and further research is needed, lowering sodium intake is encouraged to support brain, heart, and kidney health and potentially delay cognitive decline.