London - Saba:
A scientific study has shown that adding a popular ingredient to food may increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
The study, based on data from nearly half a million British adults, found that those who regularly added salt were approximately 40% more likely to develop these two conditions, compared to those who never or rarely added it.
Theories about the reason for this effect range from salt accelerating biological aging, increasing the risk of mental health problems, and its effect on the mood hormones serotonin and dopamine, according to Western media.
The study authors, from China's Xinjiang Medical University, said their study is "the first to indicate significant positive effects of salt on the risk of depression and anxiety resulting from adding salt to food."
For those who occasionally added salt, the increased risk of anxiety and depression ranged from 5% to 8%.
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