High-Salt Diet Linked to Faster Memory Decline in Men, Study Finds

SYDNEY — A diet high in salt may speed up memory decline in men, according to new research from Australia that highlights the role of nutrition in brain health.

The study, led by researchers at Edith Cowan University, found that higher sodium intake was associated with faster deterioration of episodic memory — the type of memory used to recall personal experiences, such as past events or where something was left.

Researchers tracked 1,208 participants over a period of 72 months, measuring sodium intake and changes in cognitive function. The results showed that men who consumed more sodium experienced a more rapid decline in episodic memory, while no significant link was observed in women.

Although sodium plays an essential role in the body, excessive intake has long been associated with cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure. The researchers said the mechanisms behind its impact on memory are not fully understood, but may involve inflammation in the brain, damage to blood vessels, and reduced blood flow.

Lead researcher Samantha Gardener said these factors could contribute to the observed decline, though further study is needed to confirm the biological pathways involved.

Separately, a recent study from Israel examined how people explain their memories over time. Researchers analyzed responses from 421 participants and found that while the accuracy of memory recall declined, the explanations people gave for those memories remained detailed and consistent.

The findings suggest that even as memories fade, the reasoning behind them may remain a reliable indicator of their accuracy. However, researchers noted that individuals’ confidence in their memories can decrease over time, even when their explanations remain stable.

The Israeli study was published in Communications Psychology, while the Australian research appeared in Neurobiology of Ageing. (Source: IANS)