Some Bacon Is Better Than Other

Cured And Uncured Meat

“Cured” bacon is commercially prepared with salt and sodium nitrites and additives responsible for bacon's pink color. They maintain flavor, keep the nasty odors away and delay the appearance of bacteria. Cured bacon is considered to be unhealthy because it's high in fat and sodium. Foods high in sodium are proven to raise blood pressure, clog the arteries and cause serious heart problems. Not to mention that they're expanding the body.

The main difference between cured — and supposedly healthier — “uncured” version is preservation process. Uncured bacon is said to be healthier even though it's not actually uncured, just doesn't contain nitrites.

Factory Farming

Ninety-seven percent of all pigs is raised in factory farms. In these dark barns, animals spend their whole lives in metal cages. They're like machines. Barns are covered in hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, poisonous gases coming from pig waste. Barns are often being sprayed with harsh chemicals to kill of bacteria. Manure is being held directly in the vast pits below the pigs. They're constantly fed with soybean and maize, top two genetically modified crops — and antibiotics — just to prevent getting sick before slaughter time. They breathe the poisoned air for six months without catching a break, and then die to become bacon.

So Should You Eat Bacon?

The answer is — yes — if you want to.

But like with everything else in life, it should be done in moderation. The phrase is now a platitude, but it is true. It is all about common sense. To keep people healthy, help them maintain the pleasing amount of weight, and most importantly — to keep the brain satisfied — you can't just make them to stop consuming everything they love just because it is potentially dangerous. Everyone knows alcohol is bad and dangerous when consumed in high amounts, but nevertheless we all love our glass of wine. Recent studies have even shown potential benefits of beer, wine or champagne. And yes, judging by the cancer reports and average Joe's physique, bacon is probably unhealthy if you eat it too often.

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WCRF (World Cancer Research Fund) advises to consume processed meats rarely, and to eat not more than 500 grams of red meat per week to keep the bowels healthy and cancer free, but the recommendation can be even more reduced. When your diet consists mostly of whole foods, REAL unprocessed foods like fruit and vegetables, fish, chicken and legumes, your body doesn't care that if you eat two slices of bacon with your eggs from time to time.

Jews and Muslims find eating any part of pig repulsive for thousands of years, and they still get cancer. Vegetarians and vegans love bacon in different form, alive, and they still get cancer too. If you do eat bacon, try buying it locally, or buying grass-fed pig belly and make a healthier version of bacon yourself. We all have our ways and habits, and it is all fine as long as it works for us, but it won't work if you can't comprehend that you need variety. Variety and moderation are key to stay healthy — and most importantly — sane.