High-salt diets may speed up memory decline in men, according to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU).
The study found that men who consumed more sodium experienced a faster decline in episodic memory — the type of memory used to recall personal experiences and specific events, such as where a car was parked or a first day at school. No similar link was found in women.
Researchers tracked 1,208 participants over six years, measuring their sodium intake and cognitive performance. Men with higher salt intake also tended to have higher blood pressure, which is influenced by sodium levels.
ECU Adjunct Researcher Dr Samantha Gardener said the findings highlight the need to explore sex-specific approaches to brain health and how sodium intake could be managed as a modifiable lifestyle factor to help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
While sodium is essential for normal body function, excessive intake has long been linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The Australian government recommends adults consume no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day — about one teaspoon of salt. That’s roughly the amount found in three to four slices of pizza, two burgers, 300 grams of salted peanuts, or 150 to 180 grams of deli ham.
Dr Gardener said the exact reasons behind the link between salt and memory decline are not yet clear, but high sodium levels may cause inflammation in the brain, damage blood vessels, and reduce blood flow.
“Our findings provide early evidence of a link between higher sodium intake and cognitive function, but more research is needed to fully understand how and why this relationship exists,” she said.
The study adds to growing evidence that diet plays a key role in brain health and may influence the risk of cognitive decline, particularly in men.
