A new study found that 86 percent of men and 67 percent of Irish women eat too much salt.

This is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and obesity.

Dr. Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director, human health & nutrition, Safefood said: “High dietary salt intake can have serious health consequences and is strongly associated with high blood pressure and the pain and suffering related to stroke and cardiac disease.

She added "There is a misconception that salt intake is related to the salt added at the table but the majority of salt in the diet is ‘hidden’ in that it comes from processed foods....“I would advise that we need to choose lower salt options – less processed foods and meats and lower salt bread and breakfast cereals.”