Guys, is salt assaulting your memory?
American men down a third to two-thirds of an ounce of sodium a day, more than seven times the recommended 0.08 ounce or 1 teaspoon of table salt (it's 40% sodium). Women average less. That may be why a study in Neurobiology of Aging found that salt-happy men have more problems than women do with blood pressure and episodic memory, aka the ability to remember where you parked the car, as well as recalling experiences from the distant past in the right sequence.
For six years, researchers tracked the salt intake and ran multiple cognition tests with 1,200 participants; 41% were men. When they saw the results, they speculated that over-the-top salt intake increased men's brain inflammation, damaged blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the brain, impeding their memory. But listen up -- this doesn't get women off the hook. Excess salt assaults their brain and heart health, too.
Sodium is packed into snacks and processed and fast foods, including processed meats, canned soups, pretzels, chips, frozen meals and pizzas, and prepared sauces and salad dressings. The solution for everyone is to opt for natural fruits and vegetables and cook at home. (Subs, burgers and fries at fast food outlets can assault you with 75% to 200% of the recommended daily sodium intake in one meal!)
To reduce your salt intake at home and when eating out, explore the nutritional coaching program at 4YOUngevity.com. You'll discover tasty flavors, from fresh herbs to Calabrian chilis, that can boost your culinary enjoyment without added salt.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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