Effects of eating a lot of salt
A lot of Salt in the nutrition can to one greatly increased stress level contribute and thus impair psychological well-being.
In a new study involving experts from University of Edinburgh It was investigated whether a high salt intake has an effect on the formation of stress hormones in the body. The results are published in the English-language journal “Cardiovascular Research” released.
Mice were given a high-salt diet
That an intake of a lot of salt has a negative effect on health and especially that cardiovascular system has been known for a long time. The state of knowledge regarding the effects of a high-salt diet on the Psyche however, is relatively low.
For the new study, the researchers fed mice, which normally ate a low-salt diet, with food that was particularly lots of salt contained in order to determine whether this caused the so-called Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated and a sustained excess of glucocorticoids develops.
After just two weeks of consuming a high-salt diet, basal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was already evident, the team reports. Also, have a high salt intake Glucocorticoid response to stress increased, suggesting increased sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
After two to eight weeks, the high salt intake in the animals also led to an increase in the daily Peak levels of plasma corticosteronethe research team continues.
Lots of salt increases stress in mice
According to the experts levels of stress hormones of the mice in the resting phase and in addition, the hormone reaction of mice responded twice as strongly to environmental stress compared to animals that ate a normal diet.
Salt intake increased the activity of specific genes. These produce proteins in the brain which control how that body’s response to stress expires, explains the team.
Salty foods change the psyche
„We are what we eat, and understanding how high-salt foods alter our mental health is an important step in improving well-being“, says study author Professor Matthew Bailey in a press release.
The study shows that high levels of salt in our food also change the way our brains interact with it Stress bypasses The researchers hope that their new findings will also be taken into account in health policy and, for example, Amounts of salt in processed foods be reduced.
We eat too much salt
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) gives an orientation value of up to six grams of table salt per day on. However, take regarding 70 percent of women and regarding 80 percent of men consumes more than six grams of table salt every day.
This makes it clear how widespread excessive salt intake is in the population. The salt is also with a increase in blood pressure connected, so the risk for high blood pressure increases significantly due to massive salt consumption.
high blood pressure in turn, is one of the most important risk factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. So the intake of a lot of salt through the diet indirectly increases this as well risk of cardiovascular disease.
More consequences of too much salt
According to the researchers involved in the current study, the increased blood pressure also increases the risk vascular dementia. And other studies are currently investigating whether a high salt consumption not only to stress, but also to behavior changes how Angst and aggression contributes. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Hannah M. Costello, Georgios Krilis, Celine Grenier, David Severs, Alicja Czopek, et al.: High salt intake activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, amplifies the stress response, and alters tissue glucocorticoid exposure in mice; in: Cardiovascular Research (veröffentlicht 11.11.2022), Cardiovascular Research
- Universtiy of Edinburgh: An excess of salty food seasons the body with stress (veröffentlicht 16.11.2022), Universtiy of Edinburgh
- German Society for Nutrition eV: Selected questions and answers regarding table salt (accessed November 17, 2022), German Nutrition Society
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.