A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders shows that frequently adding salt to your food is associated with a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression.
The researchers followed 276,000 individuals from 2006 to 2010 until they either received a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, passed away, left the study, or reached May 1, 2023. Over a median follow-up period of 14 years, 10,486 people developed depression, and 10,786 developed anxiety. After accounting for various factors, Zhu et al. found that compared to those who rarely added salt,
The risk increased with higher salt use:
– Sometimes adding salt raised depression risk by 10% and anxiety by 8%, usually adding salt increased depression by 10% and anxiety by 8%.
– always adding salt raised depression by 45% and anxiety by 24%.
What’s the takeaway?
It’s unlikely that salt directly causes depression or anxiety. More likely, those who consume a lot of salt might be eating fewer fruits and vegetables, which are well known for their protective effects on mental health. These findings remind us how important our diet is for our overall well-being. By simply cutting back on salt and enjoying more fruits and vegetables, we can take a positive step toward protecting ourselves from anxiety and depression.
So, if someone asks to pass the salt, pass an apple instead!