The Health Benefits of Bacon

Bacon is one of the most loved type of meat out there. Whether on top of a burger, besides eggs during breakfast, or pieces in a salad, it is a fan favourite for its salty and crispy deliciousness. Though it may not be the best health-wise, it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Firstly, it has a great protein content and relatively low in calories and carbohydrates, which is great. Though it is higher in cholesterol and fat, it does not exceed the healthy amount if eaten in moderation and paired with other nutritious foods. For example, 3 slices of bacon contain about 25% of the fat you should consume in a day, meaning that as long as the foods you eat for the rest of the day are relatively low in fat, there is no issue. Additionally, around half of the fat present in bacon is oleic acid, which is a great fat for heart health. However, it is important to remember that there is also the same amount of saturated fat present, which can be unhealthy. Bacon also includes some great nutrients, like selenium, phosphorous, potassium, and different kinds of vitamin B. A downside to bacon is that it includes relatively high amounts of salt, which can cause different diseases if not eaten in moderation. The last, and perhaps the worst downside to bacon is the fact that it includes additives called nitrates and nitrites. These substances form another substance called nitrosamines when cooked, which is bad because nitrosamines is a cancer-causing agent. However, the vitamin C contents of bacon highly reduces the amount of this substance. Overall, bacon, as long as it is consumed in moderation, does not have to be a negative part of your diet!