A new long-term study has raised concerns about the impact of high salt consumption on brain health, revealing a potential link between elevated sodium intake and faster memory decline—particularly among men.

Published in the June issue of ‘Neurobiology of Ageing,’ the research tracked over 1,200 adults for six years, assessing their dietary habits alongside cognitive performance.

Participants underwent brain function tests every 18 months, focusing on episodic memory—the ability to recall personal experiences and past events. The findings showed that men with higher sodium intake at the start of the study experienced a more rapid decline in episodic memory.

Interestingly, the same pattern was not observed among female participants, suggesting possible sex-specific differences in how sodium affects the brain.

Senior researcher Dr. Samantha Gardener of Edith Cowan University in Australia noted that while the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it offers early evidence of a concerning association.