The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 12, 2025

You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure.

But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too?

According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain.

This could explain why depression rates keep climbing right alongside our love for fast food and processed snacks.

And the implications? Well, they’re both alarming—and empowering.

Researchers at Nanjing Medical University looked at what happened when mice were fed a high-salt diet. The results were startling: the mice started showing depression-like behaviors—including anxiety, withdrawal, and a lack of interest in activities.

But what really caught scientists’ attention was the how.

It turns out, the high-salt diet activated a group of immune cells called gamma delta T cells, which then pumped out a molecule known as IL-17A—a chemical already linked to depression in humans.

And here’s the kicker…

When scientists removed those specific immune cells—or used mice genetically modified to not produce IL-17A—the mice stayed chipper despite the salty diet.

That’s huge!

It shows a direct biological path from high salt → immune response → depression.

Now, this was a mouse study—and yes, the salt levels were extreme. But it adds a fascinating layer to something we’ve long suspected: what you eat has a big impact on how you feel.

And with the average American eating more than 3,400 mg of sodium per day (well above the recommended 2,300 mg), this research hits close to home.

Think about your last fast-food meal. That burger-and-fries combo might’ve packed more than a full day’s worth of sodium.

And if that’s happening regularly? Your immune system and mental health may be taking a hit.

Start by checking food labels, especially processed snacks, soups, and frozen meals. You’d be shocked at how much sodium is hiding in so-called “healthy” foods.

Instead, aim for a Mediterranean-style or DASH diet—both are naturally lower in salt and packed with mood-supporting nutrients.

Add herbs like basil, oregano, or turmeric for flavor instead of reaching for the saltshaker. Your taste buds will adjust—and your brain will benefit.

Bottom line? You don’t need to overhaul your life to protect your mental health. But small, mindful changes in the kitchen could make a big difference.

As a Living Well Daily reader, you know that healing doesn’t always come from a pill bottle. Often, it starts on your plate.

P.S. Nature’s new mood booster? (It’s already in your kitchen!)

SOURCE:

Di Lu, Wenjie Chen, Wenhui Sun, Chuan Wei, Xuan Xie, Na Li, Haiyan Yan, Ying Chen, Yue Wu, Zhigang Lei, Lei Xu, Jifeng Zhu, Yalin Li, Chuan Su, Wei Li, Sha Zhou, Xiaojun Chen, High-salt diet drives depression-like behavior in mice by inducing IL-17A production, The Journal of Immunology, 2025;, vkaf019

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND