Research has shown that a having high intake of salt and a low level of activity can cause high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. However, a new study from Canadian researchers has found that the unhealthy combination can also lead to cognitive decline. The details of the analysis were recently published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.
According to Carol Greenwood, a professor at the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care at the University of Toronto, and one of the study’s lead researchers, “These findings are important because they help people know they can be proactive in retaining healthy brains as they age.” She went on to explain, “These data are especially relevant as we know that munching on high-salt processed snacks when engaged in sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing in front of the computer, is a frequent pastime for many adults.”
For their study, the researchers examined the amount of salt intake and levels of physical activity of 1,262 healthy adults ranging in age from 67 to 84. Over a three-year period, their findings showed that among those having the highest levels of sodium intake and the lowest levels of activity, the likelihood of having poor cognitive performance was greater than among those with a low sodium intake and high activity levels.
The study results also revealed that older adults having a sedentary lifestyle coupled with a low sodium intake, no cognitive decline was observed during the three-year study period. For purposes of the study, low sodium intake was defined as 2,263 milligrams (mg) or less, while medium intake was considered to be 3,090 mg or less. As a matter of perspective, just one teaspoon of salt is equal to 2,000 mg.
Greenwood cautioned, “Baby Boomers especially need to know that sitting on the couch watching television for long periods of time and eating salty snacks is not good for them.”
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a healthy salt intake for many people is one that does not exceed 2,300 mg per day. However, among adults aged 51 or older, as well as for all African Americans of any age, and those with hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, the recommended daily intake is 1,500 mg or less daily.
Soure: HealthNews
