Washington, November 18 Canadians are aware of the potential health risks of too much sodium but half of them still continue to shake it on, a new study has revealed.

Experts at University of Alberta surveyed 890 people measuring knowledge and behaviours regarding sodium intake.

Nutrition researchers Anna Farmer and Diana Mager found 80 per cent believed that Canadians' diets are too high in salt while 85 per cent linked high salt intake with high blood pressure.

Half of respondents said they were actually doing something to cut down on their sodium consumption.

Farmer, a professor of agricultural food and nutritional science at the U of A: "It's good news that Canadians understand some of the issues around excessive sodium consumption, and that at least half are willing to adjust their behaviour to reduce salt use.

"Most respondents in this survey understood that canned or processed foods are among the highest sources of dietary sodium. But the results also show that there's still room for more education." (ANI)