adminSYDNEY: A high-salt diet may accelerate memory decline in men, an Australian study has revealed, highlighting the importance of dietary choices in supporting brain health, Xinhua reported .
The study found that higher sodium intake can impair episodic memory, which allows people to recall personal experiences and past events, such as where you parked your car or your first day of school, according to a statement from Australia’s Edith Cowan University (ECU) on Wednesday.
Measuring baseline sodium intake and cognitive decline in 1,208 participants over a 72-month period, researchers found that men with higher sodium intake experienced faster episodic memory decline, while no association was seen in women.
Although sodium plays a role in several physiological functions and is closely linked to body maintenance, high sodium consumption is consistently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and high blood pressure, according to a study published in Neurobiology of Aging.
Lead researcher Samantha Gardener from ECU said that although the molecular mechanisms behind the process are not yet understood, it is thought that high sodium intake may contribute to brain inflammation, damage to blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the brain.
— BERNAMA-XINHUA
