High Sodium, Low Potassium Diet May Increase Risk

• A new study showed higher dietary sodium was associated with a higher risk of memory deterioration and higher potassium intake was associated with higher cognitive function.
• Sodium and potassium both play an important role in the body, working together to maintain water balance, send nerve impulses and contract muscles.
• There are many ways to reduce sodium in your diet, including eating more greens, making home-cooked meals, and read nutrition labels to choose foods with low sodium content.

Dementia is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting more than 55 million people worldwide. It is characterized by memory loss, language problems, and problem-solving issues that affect the individual’s ability to function.

Since there is no treatment for dementia, it’s important to detect it at an early stage and manage symptoms. Prior research suggests that lifestyle plays a role in cognitive function, which includes diet, exercise and sleep habits.

Researchers from China wanted to dive deeper into dietary habits and explore the effects of sodium and potassium on cognitive function. In their study, published in the journal Global Transitions,researchers found higher dietary sodium was linked to a higher risk of memory deterioration and higher potassium intake was linked to higher cognitive function.

“Based on our findings,…