High-sodium diet can also damage the brain
Key points
- By now, most of us know the dangers of a high-sodium diet.
- Researchers found a strong link between a salty diet and sedentary lifestyle and faster cognitive decline.
- In the elderly people studied, those with the highest daily sodium intake and the lowest level of exercise were more likely to show declining scores on mental tests over a three-year period.
- The study is published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.
By now, most of us know the dangers of a high-sodium diet. But beyond causing high blood pressure and heart disease, a new study out of Canada finds it could also be bad for your brain.
Researchers found a strong link between a salty diet and sedentary lifestyle and faster cognitive decline.
In the elderly people studied, those with the highest daily sodium intake and the lowest level of exercise were more likely to show declining scores on mental tests over a three-year period.
The study is published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.
Researchers note that while it doesn't explain what might cause the link, it does support the mounting evidence that damage to the blood system could be related to dementia.
Read the full details of this recent study on the Neurobiology of Aging website
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Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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