New Studies Prove Bacon Is Healthy For You

Is Bacon Healthy?

If you pay any attention to the latest diet fads, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that low-carb, high-fat diets are all the rage. Wheat is “out,” fat is “in,” which is great news for bacon fans. A plethora of recent studies prove that bacon is actually good for you. These studies also show that the low-fat diet fad has actually been detrimental to our health.

Bacon Health Craze

In his article “Bacon—The Next Health Craze,” Dr. John Salerno discusses the many health benefits of bacon and bacon nutrition facts. “Many think of bacon as one of the guiltiest pleasures possible, but it has also been shown to alleviate the effects of diabetes, heart disease and strokes,” says Dr. Salerno.

In fact, bacon adorns the cover of Dr. Salerno’s latest “diet” book, “Fight Fat With Fat.” An important component of the diet is the inclusion of healthy fat sources including nuts, olives, avocados, and yes, your beloved bacon.

Bacon has also been maligned for being part of the cured meat family. Older studies showed a link between eating cured meats and certain types of cancer. However, the original study connecting nitrates with cancer has been discredited.

The Nitrate and Nitrite Bacon Myth

Check out “The Nitrate and Nitrite Myth: Another Reason Not To Fear Bacon” by Chris Kresser. Confused by nitrate-free vs. “regular” bacon? Read our article the nitrite free bacon myth.

Several recent studies question the link between saturated fat, which accounts for about half the fat in bacon, and heart disease. Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal. And this one entitled “Time to bust the myth of saturated fat’s role in heart disease, says cardiologist.”

In addition to saturated fat, bacon contains monounsaturated fat which increases HDL or the good type of cholesterol. Bacon’s high fat content also makes you feel full and satiated.

An addition, recent studies show that the vitamins found in bacon, niacin and choline, have incredible health benefits. Choline helps improve long-term memory, attention and memory processes.

Does Eating Bacon Increase Life Expectancy?

Researchers from ETH Zurich find that diet including niacin-rich foods like bacon may increase life expectancy.

And speaking of life expectancy, you won’t need any more proof of bacon’s health benefits when you hear about Pearl Cantrell, a 105-year-old women who made headlines last year when she claimed that eating bacon is the key to her longevity. Mrs. Cantrell eats 2 pieces a day for breakfast and sometimes at lunch.

And Susannah Mushatt Jones, who recently celebrated her 115th birthday, eats 4 strips of bacon every day.

So the next time you have a bacon-hatin’ naysayer warning you about your bacon consumption, just send them this article to convince them otherwise.