A study from China has shed light on how diet, specifically sodium and potassium intake, can impact cognitive health.
This research is particularly significant considering that dementia, a condition impairing memory and cognitive function, is becoming a leading cause of disability and death among the elderly worldwide.
China, with its large and rapidly aging population, faces significant challenges due to the rise in dementia cases.
The irreversible nature of dementia and the lack of effective treatments highlight the importance of prevention and early detection of cognitive decline.
While lifestyle factors like physical activity and sleep are known to influence cognitive function, the specific impact of dietary sodium and potassium hasn’t been thoroughly explored until now.
In this study, Chinese researchers examined the effects of dietary sodium, potassium, and their ratio, as well as salt intake, on the cognitive function of elderly individuals.
The study involved 4,213 participants aged 50 and above, with results based on cognitive tests and self-reporting.
The findings revealed that high sodium intake (over 5593.2 mg/day) and a high sodium-to-potassium ratio (over 3.8/day) increased the risk of memory impairment.
On the flip side, higher potassium intake (over 1653.3 mg/day) was associated with better cognitive scores. Interestingly, replacing 1000 mg/day of sodium with an equal amount of potassium led to a noticeable improvement in cognitive test scores.
Furthermore, the study highlighted that the effects of dietary sodium and potassium on cognitive function might be influenced by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CCVD), while sleep can mediate the relationship between salt intake and cognitive function.
Despite efforts to reduce salt and sodium consumption in China, intake remains worryingly high, surpassing global recommendations.
This high salt consumption is often coupled with a low potassium intake, far below the recommended levels.
The study’s findings reinforce the idea that the ratio of dietary sodium to potassium could be a more accurate indicator of their impact on cognitive function than examining sodium or potassium levels separately.
This research, conducted by Ai Zhao and colleagues and published in Global Transitions, underscores the importance of a balanced diet for cognitive health, particularly for the elderly.
It also adds to the growing body of evidence that diet plays a crucial role in preventing cognitive decline and dementia.
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