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Bacon has held a bad reputation for health for several years and many people wonder if bacon is healthy. The claims that bacon is high in fat, causes high cholesterol and ultimately leads to serious health conditions are not entirely true. Bacon does have some surprising health benefits that make it a great addition to a diet plan when it is eaten in proper serving sizes.
Healthy Nutrients In Bacon
The concern that bacon will ruin good health is a myth. According to Heesa Phadie, bacon has healthy nutrients that make it a useful part of a healthy diet. Bacon contains thiamin, vitamin B12, zinc and selenium, which are all vital nutrients the body does not naturally produce.
ALSO READ: If You Love Bacon You Must Try This Bacon and Ale Trail
The B vitamins are a necessary part of fighting anemia and maintaining high energy levels throughout the day. Since bacon contains natural B vitamins, it is healthy for the body. The vitamins are needed to move nutrients around the body through the circulatory system and a deficiency can lead to serious complications.
Zinc and selenium are vital antioxidants that are necessary for immune health. When the body does not receive enough nutrients and antioxidants, cells can start breaking down at a faster rate and the health is compromised. Bacon is useful in fighting health problems because it contains healthy antioxidants.
Fat in Bacon
Bacon does contain fat, which resulted in the concerns to personal health. While bacon has some fat, it does not contain the most harmful form of fat. According to the website FillYourPlate.org, bacon does not have any trans fats. The most harmful form of fat is trans fats, which are created fats designed for preservation.
Bacon does contain fat, but the amount is exaggerated. A single serving of bacon has less fat than many consumers assume. According to Boss Hog on the website BaconToday.com, bacon has less fat and cholesterol than many popular cuts of beef and chicken.
The low fat content when compared to the amount of nutritional value is surprising. Boss Hog explains that bacon has the highest protein to fat content of any meat, which makes it a great option when following a high protein diet or after exercise.
Improved Mood
The meat is surprisingly nutritious and good for mental health. Bacon is a natural mood enhancer that helps encourage positive mental states. According to Visual.ly, the umami in bacon is an addictive substance that has a neurological impact on the brain.
Boss Hog on Bacon Today states that the meat causes a happy and blissful effect after eating it. The effect causes improved mood, satisfaction and lowers stress levels.
Since stress is a serious complication to physical and mental health, it is important to take measures to control the harmful emotional state. While several other options are available to reduce stress, many solutions take time. When time is short, grabbing a piece of bacon can help enhance mood and reduce stress levels within a short period of time.
Protection To The Heart
A surprising fact is that bacon is healthy for the heart. Bacon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are the same nutrients found in fish. The healthy benefits of omega fatty acids are the reduced cholesterol and improved overall health in the heart.
Despite the myth that bacon causes heart disease, it actually has a positive benefit on the heart and body. High cholesterol is a problem for many individuals, but a serving of bacon can help reduce the bad numbers while raising the good numbers over time.
According to Boss Hog, choline is another material that helps protect the heart from damage and disease. Bacon can help heal the heart and other organs in the body due to the choline that is found in the meat. Choline is suggested for healing abnormalities and is a good element to add to a pregnant woman’s diet due to the impact on fetal brain development. Choline improves fetal brain development when it is eaten regularly during pregnancy.
Reduced Rates Of Brain-Related Illnesses
The health of the brain is vital for the entire body. The brain is the organ that controls the body and ensures everything functions appropriately. When problems develop in the brain, it leads to odd behaviors, memory loss and ultimately death when it is not properly managed.
According to Boss Hog, the choline in bacon is not only useful for the heart. Choline is a necessary component for the health of the brain.
A diet that contains choline on a regular basis will show reduced rates of memory loss over time. It is used in treatment for mental impairments, including Alzheimer’s Disease and similar dementia diseases. Studies have shown that choline improves memory, intelligence testing and reduces the speed of damage to the brain from dementia.
The impact on the brain is useful at any age. Since it improves memory, bacon is a great addition to breakfast during the school years.
Bacon is not bad for the body or health. Since the meat contains a high level of nutrients, it is a useful addition to any diet. The key to eating bacon and gaining health benefits is keeping the portions to reasonable sizes. When eaten in proper portion sizes, the amount of salt and fat is a negligible concern and the health benefits will outweigh the possible downsides associated with the meat.
Make Bacon at Home with Recipes on Pinterest
Follow Bacon is Magic’s board Charcuterie and Salumi Recipes on Pinterest.
References:
Bacon Today http://bacontoday.com/top-10-reasons-bacon-is-actually-healthy-for-you/
I Can Has Internets http://www.icanhasinternets.com/2010/05/20-awesome-bacon-facts-graphic/
Visual.Ly http://visual.ly/25-fun-facts-about-bacon
Fill Your Plate http://fillyourplate.org/blog/fun-facts-about-bacon/
Lisa says
November 19, 2014 at 6:00 PMHow ironic that I came upon this article when I was just about to make a trip to the corner store to get a couple packets of bacon and bread to make a bacon alone sandwich. I have a terrible craving for bacon. Don’t know why but I always have to eat a slice of raw bacon before I cook it and no, I’m not crawling with parasites either. Unfortunately I can’t share bacon with my dog as she can’t digest it.
I LOVE bacon! I’m gonna enjoy my bacon tonight and I’ll eat an entire package at once I love it that much.
Kathy says
January 14, 2016 at 11:58 PMI love it to but a entire pack maybe over indulgence
Ayngelina says
January 15, 2016 at 1:05 PMAgreed a pack is far too much. I think bacon is magic because just a little makes a difference.
Carlos A. Garcia says
August 5, 2017 at 2:44 PMLeave the bread alone. Two eggs and four strips of bacon around 10 AM, you won’t be hungry the whole day. Around 8 PM an oatmeal dish. That’s it. Steak once a week. Turns you life around.
pramod Parnati says
February 4, 2019 at 12:19 PMyou right i do bacon everyday
aziza says
February 20, 2019 at 11:30 AMthat increases your chances for colon cancer by 15%. it’s a known fact and is on the DEA’s list for schedule I carcinogen
A says
February 26, 2019 at 10:06 PMTbh, it’s a worthy risk to take (given that those correlational studies were correct, I do believe there could be confounding variables because you cannot control anyone’s diet and they didn’t account for socioeconomic status, smokers vs non smokers because maybe ppl who eat bacon smoke more… idk) because even if it is a 15% risk from daily intake, thats very very small. The average person has a 5% chance of developing colon cancer in their lifetimes so if they eat 50g of bacon daily, their chance of developing colon cancer is (5*1.15)% = 5.75%. This is with daily eating, if you eat processed meats regularly but not daily, the risk is closer to 5% still. So really, it’s totally worth the slight risk and possible benefits that the WHO doesn’t even tell you about saturated fats.
Spicy Flamingo says
February 14, 2019 at 6:15 PMI hope you guys know bacon is a heavily processed meat and studies have shown that it might be a leading cause of colon cancer in people. Enjoy! 👍
P.S. I think the lady with the first comment has a serious addiction. 🥓
Steve says
October 9, 2019 at 6:23 PMCan you clarify your statement? The term “Processed” is vague because it can mean a lot of different things. “I hope you know” not ALL meat processing is bad for you. Processed could mean preservation by smoking, salting, curing, fermenting, smoking or grinding byproduct together to make a meat product. Which processing method are you talking about. One big thing to consider (also not mentioned in your statement) is; maintaining a healthy weight is WAY more important than eating low risk foods (like bacon) in moderation. Exercise is also a huge factor. In short; if you maintain a healthy weight, eat well and exercise, you can eat something like bacon and it will have little to no negative effects what so ever as compared to someone who does not exercise, eats excessive amounts of food (not to mention, what else are they eating? And are they drinking alcohol and/or smoking?) and are obese. You didn’t mention any of these factors. Your statement is oversimplified. But I’m not surprised, people generally like oversimplified answers because they’re easy to understand and they don’t have to think too hard and sort through overwhelming amounts of information. Good luck.
Gabrielle Benham says
June 11, 2015 at 1:26 AMProtection to the heart – is the most “surprising fact” you have mentioned. Well, I know that bacon is rich in iron since all of the meat are rich in iron though but when say it is good for the heart? well, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt, besides I love bacon. However, there are several factors to be considered before eating bacon – as what you have said it is renowned because it is high in fat, causes high cholesterol and ultimately leads to serious health conditions which I really believed. Perhaps, a certain food has nutrients that others may not have AND may not good in our health because of the medical condition we have.
Lynn says
September 16, 2015 at 8:58 PMYIPEE bacon on sale at Krogers.and I will be buying some more
Braden Bills says
October 6, 2016 at 10:42 AMI need to get a bit more fat in my diet. I didn’t know that bacon had plenty of that! There’s also the fact that eating bacon makes people happier. I’ll have to get some so I can eat it more often.
Mary says
April 10, 2017 at 11:04 AMBuy sodium nitrate free bacon. Sodium nitrate is a carcinogenic ingredient. There are brands out there that is SN free.
Albee says
May 15, 2017 at 2:37 PMBacon, bacon for everyone!
Vacuum Mania says
August 20, 2017 at 6:30 AMThank you Allow the bread to sit unbothered. Two eggs and four segments of bacon around 10 AM, you won’t be eager the entire day. Around 8 PM an oats dish. That is it. Steak once per week. Turns your life around.
Brenda says
November 13, 2017 at 3:03 PMI eat 3-4 slices of bacon with eggs daily but I eat the Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted bread with Ghee butter…
Eleanor says
January 21, 2018 at 12:49 PMThis is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever read. Whoever wrote this is a moron and obviously wants to keep people sick. This is really creepy.
Healthy says
May 28, 2018 at 6:31 PMAGREE! Dead tortured fatty pig flesh is NOT healthy, LMAO
Jill says
October 13, 2018 at 11:11 PMI know right!? Bad science, bacon is a carcinogen!
David says
February 25, 2018 at 5:26 AMI’m a guy in ketosis. For those of you who don’t know what this is, it’s basically that no carb, high fat diet you’ve probably heard about by now. The KETO diet. I prefer rather to call it a lifestyle and not a diet. I’m Ketonic for life.
Anyway, bacon is essential for my morning routine. I’ll have five strips coupled with five eggs fried in the fat of the bacon, some fresh spinach and a few celery sticks with hummus.
This all after having hit the gym.
And thanks to ketosis, I’m lean and mean with no cravings like people whose bodies function on glucose rather than ketones.
So I say, “Bring on the bacon! “
Bacon Addicts says
March 31, 2018 at 6:08 AMThank you for sharing these points.
It is easy (and makes a great headline) to blame Bacon as the source of all evil in the world. The reality is a lot more complex.
We love Bacon and we think it can be a key component in any healthy lifestyle 🙂
K says
May 21, 2018 at 2:29 PMBack in the 1980’s I took a nutrition class at Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa, CA)
I asked my teacher what food does she think has the best overall nutritional value?
She replied, pork.
I have never forgotten this nor ever underestimated pork in my diet since.
I don’t know if she is correct but it made me a believer in keeping pork in my diet.
Jill says
October 13, 2018 at 11:09 PMIsn’t bacon a class one carcinogen? Just like cigarettes and asbestos?
aziza says
February 20, 2019 at 11:33 AMthat increases your chances for colon cancer by 15%. it’s a known fact and is on the DEA’s list for schedule I carcinogen
A says
February 26, 2019 at 10:07 PMTbh, it’s a worthy risk to take (given that those correlational studies were correct, I do believe there could be confounding variables because you cannot control anyone’s diet and they didn’t account for socioeconomic status, smokers vs non smokers because maybe ppl who eat bacon smoke more… idk) because even if it is a 15% risk from daily intake, thats very very small. The average person has a 5% chance of developing colon cancer in their lifetimes so if they eat 50g of bacon daily, their chance of developing colon cancer is (5*1.15)% = 5.75%. This is with daily eating, if you eat processed meats regularly but not daily, the risk is closer to 5% still. So really, it’s totally worth the slight risk and possible benefits that the WHO doesn’t even tell you about saturated fats.
Elle says
July 8, 2019 at 2:43 PMI was a vegetarian for more than 20 years and vegan for two. When I was getting vertigo and nothing was working to help, I thought outside the box. I thought maybe I needed animal protein because I have always been very anemic (I was even on a scrip iron at the time). I started eating bacon and in a very short time, the vertigo subsided. I didn’t make bacon or any animal protein a staple of my diet after that, but I tried to incorporate some here and there. Recently, two decades later, I had excruciating TMJ for more than two months, so it was difficult to eat and to eat healthy things that needed chewing (only so many smoothies and soup I could handle). As the worst of the TMJ was healing, I started noticing a heavy feeling of fatigue and I needed naps every day. I tried vitamins and supps, but they weren’t helping. I decided I needed to eat better and could now chew! I bought bacon and fish. Within a week, I didn’t need naps! I feel my energy and stamina building. Because of this, I’m also now taking blood-building Chinese herbs and I’ve learned that women (and men) need to get enough iron our entire lives. … Another quick story, about 6-7 years ago, I was under the supervision of a sports medicine physician who put me on a paleo lifestyle. After one of my follow-up visits to review new blood work results, she was excited to tell me that my cholesterol (which wasn’t high) had dropped even lower. I didn’t tell her that my paleo animal proteins of choice were organic bacon and turkey. I was eating a lot of bacon because I had to, not having other animal proteins to choose from. … I feel horrible about eating bacon and animal protein. My body and health, though, suffered from eliminating it, so I’ve had to make that difficult choice about which I won’t ever quite have peace.
Evan E Vasquez says
August 4, 2019 at 12:13 PMTwo of these reasons are simply comparing bacon to less healthy foods which absolutely does not make bacon healthy. Two others are outright falsehoods. The other one is just the natural chemical reaction that occurs in our brains when we eat anything that taste good to us. That feel good reaction is there to encourage us to continue eating. Processed meats are an FDA certified type 1 carcinogen. This list seems like an attempt to justify poor eating habits. Look at studies that aren’t getting paid by companies that sell meat. The people conducting those studies have no financial incentive to tell you to have fruits and grains for breakfast rather than bacon and eggs.
Isabelle says
October 10, 2019 at 2:42 PMThese “studies” are funded by the meat companies , which means these studies are incorrect. And you are posting incorrect information for profit to the public.