Scientists are warning about the dangers of too much salt in our diet. Figures show that half the population now consume more than the recommended 6g daily...

Although it's a vital nutrient in our daily diet, scientists are now warning that salt could be slowly be poisoning us.

The amount of salt we Brits eat appears to be spiralling out of all control.

New figures from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) show that at least 26 million people in the UK - approximately half the population - consume more than the recommended 6g daily limit of salt.

In fact, men are now eating an average of 11g of salt a day, which is equivalent to almost two level teaspoons, and women are thought to be consuming about 8.1g.

But it seems that a large majority of the salt that we are eating is hidden in manufactured foods.

About 75 per cent of salt in diets comes from processed foods, and some of the biggest contributors are bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, cakes, rice, flour and pasta.

Only 10 per cent to 15 per cent of our remaining salt intake is added during cooking or at the table, with a similar amount found naturally in certain foods.

Health experts believe that reducing the nation's salt intake will lead to significant public health benefits, including lowering blood pressure which, according to the Department of Health, is a cause or contributory factor in 170,000 deaths a year in England alone.

To drive the message home, the government has launched a major public health campaign to raise awareness of the link between diets loaded with salt and high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.

"High blood pressure really is the silent killer as those living with it are three times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, and twice as likely to die from these diseases as those with normal levels," says Sir John Krebs, chairman of the FSA.

"The human cost in terms of illness and death and the costs to the NHS are very high and cutting down on salt can significantly reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure."

A £4m television, press and poster advertising campaign featuring a character called Sid The Slug is now underway and there is also a dedicated website packed full of advice on how best to reduce salt consumption.

For more information about salt visit www.salt.gov.uk and www.food.gov.uk or contact the Blood Pressure Association on www.bpassoc.org.uk