Health Network》Eating too much salty food may damage the kidneys and may also damage the brain! Study reveals men's memory declines faster

2026/10/15 08:23

Nutritionist Zhang Xinfang said that the study found that men with higher sodium intake had faster episodic memory decline, but the same significant association was not found for the overall study group and women; situational photos. (Picture taken from freepik)

[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Eating too much salt not only affects blood pressure or increases the burden on the kidneys. Nutritionist Zhang Xinfang said that a study tracked more than 1,200 middle-aged and elderly people with normal cognitive functions for 6 years. The results found that men with higher sodium intake had faster episodic memory decline. However, the same significant association was not found for the overall study group and women. However, she emphasized that current human research results are inconsistent, so it cannot be directly concluded that eating too much salt will accelerate brain aging and increase the risk of dementia. However, she reminded that salt should still be reduced in daily diet to help protect the brain and take care of blood vessel health.

Why eating too much salt may be linked to brain health? Zhang Xinfang posted on Facebook that current research mainly focuses on two directions: blood pressure and blood vessel health, and brain nerve function. Long-term excessive sodium intake may increase the risk of hypertension, which is also an important factor affecting cerebrovascular health and cognitive function. In addition, animal studies have found that a high-sodium diet may affect the neurological function of the brain. Researchers also speculate that inflammation and vascular changes may be involved. However, more research is needed to confirm whether the same mechanism exists in humans.

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Study: Same association not found in women

Another study published in "Neurobiology of Aging" tracked and observed the cognitive changes of 1,208 middle-aged and elderly people with an average age of about 71 years old and normal cognitive functions for 6 years. The results showed that men with higher sodium intake had a faster decline in "episodic memory" for things they had experienced, such as who they had dinner with yesterday and where they went on their last trip. However, the same significant association was not found among the overall study group and women.

However, Zhang Xinfang reminded that this study also has some limitations, that is, sodium intake was only measured once at the beginning of the study, and additional salt added in cooking or at the table was not included, so it cannot fully reflect long-term sodium intake. She also pointed out that this does not mean that the less sodium you eat, the healthier your brain will be. Some studies have even observed a link between lower sodium intake and reduced cognitive function. However, this does not mean that a low-sodium diet will harm the brain, nor does it prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

Eat this daily diet to protect your brain and blood vessels

If you want to take good care of your brain, what can you do every day? She mentioned that instead of waiting until memory gets worse before starting to pay attention, it is better to start with your daily diet, including:

●Drink less soup: Don’t drink all the soup base for instant noodles and hot pot.

●Reduce processed foods: Don’t eat sausages, ham, and pickled foods every day.

●Seasoning reduction: just the right amount of soy sauce, sand tea sauce, and dipping sauce.

●Eat more prototype foods: Use vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other foods as the basis of your daily diet.

Zhang Xinfang emphasized that taking care of your brain should not only use your brain, but also don’t neglect your blood vessel health. The World Health Organization recommends that adults' daily sodium intake should be less than 2,000 mg, which is equivalent to less than 5 grams of table salt. Reducing salt does not mean eating tasteless, but slowly reducing your reliance on heavy flavors and making health a lifestyle habit that can be maintained for a long time.