Too much salt: does it really increase the risk of depression?

Too much salt: does it really increase the risk of depression?

A current study by Nanjing Medical University shows that high salt consumption not only damage the heart, but also increase the risk of depression. According to OE24 , mice were observed with salt-kingdom diet, which demonstrated behaviors that are reminiscent of depressive moods. These animals leaned into the lower movement and explored their surroundings less. These results could offer new approaches to the treatment of depression through dietary changes.

In particular, the study emphasizes that excessive salt intake increases the production of the protein IL-17A, which is associated with depression. IL-17A is produced by Gamma-Delta-T cells, the activity of which correlates directly with the salt consumption of the mice. Interestingly, the switching off of these cells led to an improvement in depressive symptoms, which indicates that reducing salt consumption could have potentially positive effects on mental health.

salt, stress and psychological well -being

In addition, a separate study by the University of Edinburgh shows that high salt intake increases the stress level and thereby impair psychological well -being. In this study, published in the journal "Cardiovascular Research", it was observed that mice that normally had a low-salt diet experienced after two weeks of salt-rich food an activation of the hypothalamus-hypophyses-nine-native axis. The result was an increase in stress hormones, which were twice as high in these mice in rest phases and in environmental stress, as with normal-eaten fellow species, such as Heilpr. reported.

In addition, the activity of genes that produce proteins in the brain that regulate the stress reaction. These findings underline the importance of a balanced diet, since in western countries salt consumption is often above the maximum of five grams per day recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The German Nutrition Society even recommends a maximum consumption of six grams, with an estimated 70% of women and 80% of men exceeding this value every day.

health risks through high salt consumption

The health risks of high salt consumption are diverse. In addition to the known meaning for the heart and circulation, a connection between salt -rich nutrition and an increased risk of high blood pressure and vascular dementia is also suspected. In this context, the influence on behavioral changes such as fear and aggression through high salt consumption is also examined in further studies.