Scientists Uncover 1 Common Habit That May Cause Faster Memory Decline
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- A six-year observational study of over 1,200 older Australian adults found that high salt intake was linked to a decline in episodic memory specifically in men, with no clear cognitive decline observed in women.
- Episodic recall, affected in the study, is an early cognitive domain impacted in Alzheimer's disease and is associated with hippocampal function, the brain's memory center.
- High salt consumption is known to increase blood pressure, which can damage brain blood vessels, cause inflammation, impair memory pathways, and contribute to Alzheimer's-related protein buildup.
- Men in the study consumed more salt and had higher diastolic blood pressure, possibly crossing a threshold where vascular and inflammatory damage from sodium intake measurably affected cognition.
- Experts recommend reducing salt intake by focusing on fresh, minimally processed foods, using herbs for flavor, and choosing lower-sodium products, aligning with WHO guidelines of less than 2000 mg sodium per day to support brain health.