Excess Salt in Diet Linked to Increased Risk of Depression, Warn Chinese Scientists

**Islamabad:** Chinese researchers have warned that frequently adding extra salt to meals may significantly raise the risk of developing **depression**.

A study published in the journal **Nutritional Neuroscience** examined the dietary habits of over 15,000 adults. The findings revealed that individuals who consumed the most added salt had a **26% higher likelihood of experiencing depression** compared to those with lower salt intake.

While the researchers did not pinpoint the exact mechanism, they suggested that excessive salt intake could overactivate the biological systems that regulate the body’s **stress response**, leading to increased production of stress hormones.

Additionally, high salt consumption may trigger **inflammation** in the body, which can affect brain regions responsible for **emotional balance and mood regulation**.

The scientists from **Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital** concluded that there is a clear and positive association between regularly adding extra salt to food and an elevated risk of depression, highlighting the need for moderation in dietary salt intake.