But a few simple steps can help you to cut your salt intake. You don't have to add salt to food to be eating too much – 75% of the salt we eat is already in everyday foods such as bread, breakfast cereal and ready meals. A diet that is high in salt can cause raised blood pressure, which currently affects around one third of adults in the UK. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. But if you have it, you are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Cutting down on salt lowers blood pressure, which means that your risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease is reduced.