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New research suggests a link between salt intake and mental health, indicating that adding salt to food may elevate the risk of depression and anxiety. A recent study analyzing data from nearly half a million British adults revealed a significant correlation: individuals who routinely added salt to their meals were almost 40 percent more prone to developing these conditions compared to those who seldom or never used extra salt.
Link Between Salt and Mental Health
The investigation explored potential explanations for this effect, ranging from the possibility that salt might hasten biological aging, thereby increasing vulnerability to mental health issues, to its potential influence on mood-regulating hormones like serotonin and dopamine.
Study Details and Findings
Researchers from Xinjiang Medical University in China stated that their work represents ‘the inaugural report of notable positive additive effects on the likelihood of both depression and anxiety stemming from discretionary salt use in meals.’
The findings indicated a tiered risk level. For participants who sometimes added salt, the elevated risks were in the range of 5 to 8 percent.
Data Analysis
The comprehensive data analysis encompassed salt intake habits and mental health records of 439,412 individuals in Britain. The review identified 9,516 cases of diagnosed depression and 11,796 cases of anxiety, as detailed in the Journal of Affective Disorders.