Most people eat much more salt than they need. Most foods are salted during cooking and manufactured foods contain a lot of added salt. It is important to check the amount on the packaging. Some experts say we should all aim to cut down our overall salt intake by about a quarter.

• Reduce the amount of salt in your cooking and try to avoid adding it at the table. This may help to reduce your blood pressure if it is high.
• Cut down on snacks with a high salt content, like crisps or salted nuts.
• Try to use low-salt manufactured products, and low-salt or unsalted butter or spreads.

If your pain tablets are ones that you dissolve in water, they may contain large amounts of salt. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.