High Sodium Intake Associated with Cognitive Decline in Men

April 22, 2026 | Sodium plays an important role in several physiological functions, but too much of it results in increased cardiovascular risks and hypertension. Emerging research has also demonstrated strong association with neuroinflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and impaired blood supply to the brain. Particularly, hypertension can be a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Women generally have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s due to longer lifespans, socioeconomic factors (inaccessibility to healthcare services and education), decreased estrogen after menopause, and genetic factors. But what about sodium intake? The effect of sodium on cognitive decline has yet to be properly observed. 

Researchers from Edith Cowan University in Western Australia investigated the relationship between dietary sodium and cognitive decline over the span of 72 months. Their findings were published in Neurobiology of Aging (DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2026.02.003). 

Hypertension and Cognitive Decline 

There were 498 male participants and 710 female participants, totaling to a sample size of 1,208. The participants were aged 60 or older and cognitively unimpaired. Those who had a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, non-Alzheimer’s disease dementia, recent cancer (except for basal cell skin carcinoma), Parkinson’s disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, symptomatic stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, and excessive alcohol consumption were excluded from the study. Notably, most of the cohort was of Caucasian descent, and it is unknown how the link between sodium intake and cognitive decline may affect other populations. 

The participants were assessed at baseline and four additional time points that were spaced 18 months apart. The assessment featured six cognitive domains: episodic recall, recognition, executive function, language, attention, and the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite. Participants would report how often they consumed a standard portion size for each food item. Sodium intake was calculated by multiplying the reported frequency of consuming each food item by its corresponding sodium content and adding all items to obtain total daily sodium intake. Additional salt that could have been added before or while eating or during cooking were excluded from the estimations. 

The results found that there was faster decline in episodic recall in male participants over the span of 72 months. No associations were found in female participants. Higher salt intake results in higher blood pressure, which is a recognized risk for cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline due to the damage it inflicts on blood vessels throughout the body. Over time, the persistent pressure leads to vascular remodeling, weakened blood vessels, and reduced blood flow, including to the brain.  

Other mechanisms that may explain the observed link with episodic memory include the possibility that high salt intake induces region-specific neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, particularly within limbic structures essential for memory processing. Specifically, it may affect the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory formation, including episodic memory. Due to its high synaptic plasticity, dense microvascular network, and sensitivity to oxidative damage, the hippocampus is especially vulnerable to inflammation and metabolic stress. 

Sensitivity analyses that adjusted for systolic and diastolic blood pressure—separately and jointly—did not materially change the observed associations between sodium intake and cognitive outcomes. This indicates that although blood pressure may partially contribute to the sex differences observed, it doesn’t fully account of the link between higher salt intake and poorer cognitive performance in males.  

“Further investigation is definitely required into sex-specific approaches and how sodium intake could be incorporated as one modifiable lifestyle factor aimed at delaying Alzheimer’s disease onset,” said Dr. Samantha Gardener, Edith Cowan University adjunct researcher, in a press release.  

The researchers also write that higher sodium intake associated with decreased episodic recall over time was only found among participants who had normal blood pressure and lower sodium intake levels. This pattern suggests that susceptibility to sodium-related cognitive changes might vary depending on an individual’s baseline vascular status. More research is needed to confirm whether the effects of sodium intake on cognition truly differ across levels of vascular risk. 

Great Potential to Explore 

The primary limitation of the study is the self-reported measures from participants, leaving a chance of misestimation. Another limitation to consider is that participants that stayed for all assessments could have had higher chances of not being cognitively impaired. Conversely, self-observing individuals could have noticed cognitive decline and chose to drop out, possibly to avoid confronting a potential diagnosis. As such, the study may underrepresent people with worsening cognition.    

The results do show promise in the relationship between sodium intake and cognitive impairment. According to Gardener, future studies will be “critical to determine the underlying mechanisms and inform future dietary recommendations aimed at reducing dementia risk.”