Too Much Bacon Is Bad For The Body

Although bacon is one of America's all-time favourite foods, it's important that you know the effects it can have on your health. It shouldn't come as a shock to learn that processed meats, like bacon, aren't good for your health. In fact, many studies have been done to observe the negative health consequences that consuming too much bacon can have on your body. It's been strongly advised that you shouldn't eat bacon on a daily basis, so if you do want to enjoy a couple of slices, it's best to consume less than one serving every week or every other week. To highlight the dangers of consuming too much bacon, here are 20 things that can happen to your body if you're not careful with your intake.

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1. Increased Heart Disease Risk

Consuming large amounts of bacon on a daily and weekly basis can pose significant health risks. It increases your intake of saturated fats and sodium, which can lead to higher blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure, elevating your risk of heart disease and stroke.

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2. Weight Gain

It shouldn't be surprising to hear that bacon is incredibly calorie-dense thanks to its high fat content. That's why eating it frequently and in large quantities can be a big contributor to weight gain and obesity. This brings forth its own set of health issues.

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3. High Blood Pressure

If a diet high in sodium and salt leads to high blood pressure, you probably know where we're going with this one. The sodium content in bacon can cause your body to retain water, leading to increased blood pressure. Over time, this strains your heart and can damage your blood vessels, further contributing to heart disease.

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4. Increased Cancer Risk

Processed meats, like bacon unfortunately, contain something called nitrites and nitrates, two chemicals which are used in preservation and can convert into carcinogenic compounds in the body. Regular consumption of processed meats has been linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer and other types.

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5. Type 2 Diabetes

Sadly, eating too many processed meats, including bacon of course, has been associated with a higher risk of developing type II diabetes. It's possibly due to the effects of high levels of saturated fats and additives that impact insulin sensitivity.

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6. Digestive Issues

High-fat foods like bacon can be difficult to digest, especially in some more than others, leading to plenty of discomfort, indigestion, or the worsening of existing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

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7. Poor Nutritional Balance

If you're looking to increase your protein intake, bacon is not the way to go. Relying too heavily on bacon will lead to a definite nutritional imbalance, as bacon lacks many of the vitamins and minerals found in leaner meats or plant-based protein sources.

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8. Liver Function Stress

The high fat and preservative content in bacon can add additional stress to your liver, which you definitely don't want to do. The liver is what's responsible for detoxifying your body after all! Over time, eating too much bacon can contribute to liver issues and decreased function.

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9. Impaired Kidney Function

On another note, the high sodium content in bacon can also be strenuous on your kidneys, which are responsible for filtering and eliminating waste from your body. Overconsumption only leads to kidney stress, and in more susceptible individuals, it might even lead to kidney disease.

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10. Inflammation

Processed meats like bacon are a major contributor of chronic inflammation in the body. This state of inflammation is linked to an increased risk of numerous chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

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11. Elevated Cholesterol Levels

Eating too much bacon can raise your levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol due to its saturated fat content. High LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in your arteries, potentially leading to heart disease.

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12. Risk of Heart Arrhythmias

If you want to avoid the risk of developing heart arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats, it'd be a good idea to keep a close eye on your bacon intake. Because the high sodium content in bacon has been linked to increasing these conditions. These conditions can lead to more serious heart issues in the future, including heart attack and stroke, so it's important you don't overlook them.

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13. Increased Risk of Gout

Bacon's rich purine content can lead to the production of uric acid, which in excess, may crystallize and deposit in joints, causing gout, a form of arthritis characterized by severe pain and swelling.

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14. Hormonal Imbalances

Containing certain additives that may affect your hormone levels in the body, eating too much bacon can be bad news for your mood. Regular consumption can disrupt your hormonal balance and affect everything from your mood to metabolism.

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15. Respiratory Problems

A diet that's high in processed meats has been associated with an increased risk of conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It's because bacon has certain preservatives in it that can affect your lung health.

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16. Impaired Gut Health

The high fat and salt content in bacon can negatively affect the balance of gut microbiota, leading to issues like dysbiosis. An imbalanced gut microbiome can contribute to a variety of health problems, including digestive disorders, immune system weakness, and even mental health issues.

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17. Skin Conditions

Overeating processed, fatty, and greasy foods like bacon can lead to skin issues. The poor nutritional quality and high fat content can worsen conditions like acne or cause inflammation, leading to some skin problems. The next time you have an outbreak of pimples, think back to your diet that week!

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18. Sleep Disturbances

Here's a rather surprising one - did you know the high fat content in bacon can actually affect your sleep quality? And not in a good way. Eating fatty food late at night, especially if you're about to go to bed, can lead to discomfort and indigestion, making it harder to fall asleep and stay that way. So the next time you're getting a bacon craving, you might want to think twice.

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19. Increased Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is the imbalance of reactive oxygen species being accumulated and produced in your body. It can be incredibly dangerous, potentially damaging your organs, tissue, and causing other diseases. Unfortunately, bacon contains high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can contribute to this. 

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20. Weakened Bone Health

Last but not least, the high sodium content in bacon can cause calcium to be leached from the bones, leading to weakened bone health. It's possible to face an increased risk of osteoporosis, especially if bacon is a major part of your diet and you don't have adequate calcium intake.

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