Is Bacon Useful Or Harmful To Health?

Table of contents:

Video: Is Bacon Useful Or Harmful To Health?

Video: Is Bacon Useful Or Harmful To Health?
Video: Is Bacon Bad For You | The Truth Exposed 2024, November
Is Bacon Useful Or Harmful To Health?
Is Bacon Useful Or Harmful To Health?
Anonim

Many people love bacon. They love its taste, but worry about it consumption of bacon it can be harmful to their health. Well, many myths in nutrition do not stand the test of time.

How is bacon made?

There are different types of bacon, and the final product can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Bacon is made from pork, although you can find similar products such as turkey bacon. Bacon usually goes through a hardening process, during which the meat is soaked in a solution of salt, nitrates and sometimes sugar. In most cases, the bacon is smoked afterwards. Drying and smoking the meat are ways to preserve the meat, but these processing methods also contribute to the characteristic taste of bacon and help preserve its color. The addition of salt and nitrates makes bacon have a longer shelf life than fresh pork.

Bacon is high in fat

The fat in the bacon are about 50% monounsaturated and most of them are oleic acid. This is the same fatty acid that is found in olive oil and is generally considered heart-healthy. Bacon is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are not as harmful as previously thought.

Bacon is quite nutritious

Pork bacon
Pork bacon

Meat is very nutritious and bacon is no exception. 100 grams of bacon contains 37 grams of high quality animal protein, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12, as well as selenium and phosphorus.

Bacon contains nitrates and nitrosamines

Harm from bacon
Harm from bacon

Processed meat also contains additives such as nitrates and nitrites. The problem with these additives is that cooking at high temperatures causes them to form compounds called nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. However, food manufacturers have been able to significantly reduce the nitrosamine content by adding vitamin C.

Concerns about processed meat

High cholesterol
High cholesterol

In recent decades, nutritionists have been concerned about health harms of bacon and other processed meats. Many observational studies have linked high meat intake to the development of cancer and heart disease.

Recommended: