It’s long been known that too much salt intake is linked to an increase in blood pressure leading to a likelier risk of heart attack or stroke, but now there’s another reason why it is recommended to stay away from this white seasoning as much as possible. In a study conducted at the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute in New York, high salt consumption was associated with memory and learning difficulties, and the surprising thing is that this problem is due to the brain's connection to the intestines.
When researchers examined the reason behind their study results, which showed that the brain suffered damage after consuming a lot of salt, they found that there was a connection between the small intestine and the brain. The high amount of salt consumed stimulated immune changes in the small intestine, which led to poor blood flow to the brain, thereby impairing cognitive functioning.
If you’ve reached middle age, we have bad news for you - the harmful effect on the brain worsens as the years pass. However, there’s also some good news - when you stop consuming a lot of salt the brain returns to normal function.
You may think that this study’s motive is to encourage people to stop consuming salt, but it really isn’t. You just have to know how to consume it in moderation and in the right quantity for your body. The American Heart Association recommends consuming 2,300 mg of sodium per day or less, which is about a teaspoon of salt, but most people consume more, not necessarily because they add salt to their food, but because a lot of processed food comes packed with sodium. You’re probably consuming more salt than you think and need:
