The Undeniable Power of Bacon

[BABY1]

TweetThe aroma of bacon is enough to tempt even the strongest vegetarians, NPR reports—calling the savory strips the “gateway meat” to an animal-eating relapse. Of all the delicious meats out there, what makes bacon so special? Smell and taste expert Alan Hirsh, M.D., explains the science behind this breakfast staple, hoping to explain its power to turn vegetarians against their mores, prompt bakers to add it to donuts, and even make Brussel sprouts taste good.

We crave salt
There’s a reason salt is often one of our top two food cravings, next to sugar. Sodium is important for our bodies to work correctly. We crave it because we’re constantly losing sodium through sweat and urine. Without enough of the mineral and water, your blood pressure can drop low enough to leave you light-headed and dizzy, Hirsh says.

Its addictive
Researchers from the Scripps Research Institute found foods like bacon can alter the brain in ways similar to heroin and cocaine. The brain releases bursts of dopamine, the feel-good hormone, when we eat tasty foods. Rats who dined on only a high-fat diet overloaded their brain’s pleasure centers and quickly turned into compulsive overeaters—driven to keep eating to get their fix.

It helps our aggression
Chewing is a primal activity. In the same way that dogs clench their teeth when challenged, we channel aggression through our face, including our jaws. When you chew crunchy foods, like bacon, you experience a decrease in that natural tension that builds up in the body, according to Hirsh. In fact, rhythmic chewing increases levels of serotonin, making you feel more at ease and content.

Mom used to make it
When we smell bacon, it triggers memories of savoring a strip of perfectly cooked bacon during our childhood. This is called olfactory-evoked recall, Hirsh says. Our olfactory system, the part of our body responsible for our sense of smell, has a pathway to the brain close to the system responsible for emotion and memory. So when we sense familiar smells, it triggers our memories—like Dad whipping up eggs and bacon on a Saturday morning.

[skinnyman]

TweetLove the "mom used to make it" section. When growing up i remember my parents also saving the bacon fat to cook with later. Real healthy!

[Dzone]

TweetThis post makes me want to eat about 5 BLTs

[daved150]

Tweeti LOVE bacon!!1 imake it every sunday with eggs, pancakes or biscuts and gravy....its a good thing i dotn have time to cook every mornign, lol