Whether you’re a fan of bacon, or beer, or both (we won’t judge), at some point we all have to face the consequences of what we put in our bodies. As it turns out, bacon and beer both have some serious health risks associated with them. While most anything is fine in moderation, it’s important to understand the effect these crowd favorites have on the body when consumed excessively.
The dreaded beer belly (and other issues)
Knocking back beer after beer might seem like the thing to do at a bar or sporting event, but over time the excessive drinking will have negative effects on the body. We all know about the dreaded beer belly—aptly named since beer contains a lot of empty calories and increases appetite, causing you to snack more. But even if you’re physically fit, drinking excessively still affects you by limiting muscle growth.
That’s right—beer is not the best companion for your workout routine. If you drink frequently and feel like your progress at the gym is slower than it should be, know there’s a correlation there. Alcohol makes it harder for your body to repair and build muscle tissue, meaning a few drinks post-workout could pretty much negate all the work you just put in. Ouch.
Here’s something else that might get under your skin. If you have blood vessel breakage on your face or if you are living with rosacea and noticing it’s getting worse, it could be due to alcohol consumption.
Everything’s (not) better with bacon
While bacon is flavorful and a breakfast favorite among many, it shouldn’t be something you eat regularly. High in saturated fat, just 3–4 slices of bacon represents about a fifth of your daily limit for saturated fat. Eating too much saturated fat will raise your cholesterol levels, increasing your risk for heart disease.
Adding to this risk is sodium, which bacon has plenty of. Excessive sodium intake also leads to a slew of other serious issues like stroke, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. The sodium nitrates used to preserve bacon also impact how your body uses sugar, which can increase your risk of developing diabetes and other health issues. In fact, studies have shown a correlation between processed meats and cardiac problems, even cancer.
When it comes to health, there are many foods and beverages that, when consumed in excess, can lead to health problems. Increasing your overall awareness of the things you regularly eat and drink will help you to make better, more informed decisions about how much and how often you consume each one. Challenge yourself to do an entire week of clean eating.