High salt intake linked to faster memory decline in one group, study finds

“We did not see any relationships between the amount of sodium consumed and memory decline in females,�(iStock)

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“This study adds to the evidence that high-sodium diets may affect more than blood pressure,� 

“These study findings are a good reminder that sodium intake matters forbrain and heart health, especially for adults who already eat more than recommended.”

Study limitations

“While excess sodium may impact cognition, it is important to note that this was a longitudinalobservational study, meaning it can show an association but cannot rule out other potential factors like overall diet quality, physical activity or other comorbidities,” Palinski-Wade noted.

Also, the participants reported their sodium intake via a food frequency questionnaire, which could be subject to recall error, the researchers pointed out.

foods and beverages, and did not include salt added during cooking or at the table.

The participants were mostly Caucasian, which means the results may not apply to other populations.

Alzheimer’s disease onset.”

Tips for reducing sodium intake

The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for adults, which is equivalent to roughly 1 teaspoon of table salt.

Typical high-sodium foods in the U.S.diet include pizza, sandwiches and burgers, deli meats, and chips, crackers andsalty snacks. 

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“These study findings are a good reminder that sodium intake matters for brain and heart health,” a dietitian said.(iStock)

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Other high-sodium foods in the grocery store include canned foods, salad dressings, deli meats, cheeses and condiments, according to Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian and certifieddiabetes careand education specialist in North Carolina.

Up to 80% of sodium intake comes from processed foods, she noted.

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“Replacing oneprocessed snack– such as beef jerky, olives, salted nuts, pretzels and bagged potato or corn chips – with an unprocessed snack is a great place to start,�

Healthier, unprocessed snacks include fruit, lightly salted nuts, carrots and hummus, or lower-sodium versions of chips, she said.

“Fill your diet with foods that promote heart health, including whole fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and lean proteins,” a nutritionist advised.(iStock)

“Replacing a few fast food meals with food prepared at home is also an excellent way to reduce your sodium intake by thousands of milligrams,” the expert advised.

Palinski-Wade echoed that the majority of sodium in the diet doesn’t come from the salt shaker, but from ultraprocessed and prepared foods. 

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“Read the labels, monitor your intake, and fill your diet with foods that promote heart health, including wholefruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and lean proteins,” she advised.

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Successfully lowering sodium intake can reduce the risk of not only high blood pressure and cognitive decline, but also kidney and cardiovascular disease, the experts agreed.

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