With its savory salty crispy appeal, bacon is one of the most popular breakfast foods around. But because it’s high in fat, many wonder if bacon is hard to digest. Let’s take a closer look at how long bacon takes to digest and what you can do to improve digestion of this pork product.
How Long Does It Take to Digest Bacon?
The speed of digestion depends on the composition of the food. Foods high in protein, fat or fiber typically take longer to digest than those high in simple carbs.
For fatty foods like bacon, digestion involves several steps:
Chewing
- Thoroughly chewing bacon allows more surface area for enzymes to start breaking down fat and protein.
- Chewing signals the release of digestive enzymes and acids to start the digestion process.
Stomach Digestion
- In the stomach, bacon is further broken down by acidic gastric juices for 1-2 hours.
Small Intestine
- Bile emulsifies bacon fat into tiny droplets that can be absorbed.
- Enzymes break down bacon into amino acids and fatty acids.
- This takes around 3-5 hours.
Absorption
- The small intestine fully absorbs the nutrients in bacon for use by the body. This can take an additional 3-6 hours after nutrients are broken down.
So full bacon digestion can take 7-13 hours depending on the individual. Fatty and fried foods like bacon tend to be on the longer end of digestion time.
Why is Bacon Hard to Digest?
A few key reasons explain why bacon can be difficult to fully break down:
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High in fat – Especially saturated fat, which takes longer to digest than carbs or protein.
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Fried and processed – Cooking methods like frying make bacon harder to digest. Preservatives and salts also require more digestion time.
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Low in fiber – No fiber means digestion depends more on enzymes and acids rather than intestinal contractions.
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Can be under-chewed – Not chewing bacon thoroughly makes it harder for the stomach to handle
So bacon’s high fat content, lack of fiber, and crispy texture that prevents thorough chewing are key factors in its slow digestion.
Signs Bacon May Be Hard to Digest for You
Some common symptoms that suggest bacon is not digesting well for your body include
- Feeling excessively full and bloated after eating bacon
- Heartburn, acid reflux or upset stomach
- Diarrhea or loose stools shortly after consuming
- Constipation from high fat intake
- Stomach cramps or sharp intestinal pain
- Nausea lasting more than a few hours after eating bacon
If you regularly experience these symptoms when consuming bacon, your body may be signaling that it struggles to digest the high fat content.
Tips to Improve Bacon Digestion
Here are some suggestions to help your digestion process bacon more effectively:
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Chew thoroughly – Don’t just “scarf and swallow” your bacon. Taking time to chew each piece 15-20 times kickstarts digestion.
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Limit portions – Stick to 1-2 strips max per serving. Going overboard on bacon can overwhelm your digestion.
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Cook properly – Fry on medium-low rather than high heat to avoid overcooking. This makes it less crunchy and easier to chew.
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Pair with high fiber – Eat bacon with fibrous foods like vegetables, whole grains and fruit. This moves fats through the intestines better.
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Stay hydrated – Drink water and hydrating fluids to help digestion and prevent constipation from high fat meals.
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Avoid before exercise – Don’t eat right before high-intensity workouts which can further slow digestion.
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Take a walk – Light walking after eating can support the digestion process.
Being mindful of portion size, cooking method, hydration and pairing fatty bacon with more digestive-friendly foods can make a difference in how well your body handles it.
Who May Need to Limit Bacon?
While most people can enjoy bacon in moderation, there are some who may be better off avoiding it or limiting intake to small amounts:
- Those with gallbladder issues or who’ve had gallbladder removal surgery
- People with gastrointestinal conditions like IBS, IBD or frequent indigestion
- Anyone with high cholesterol who needs to restrict saturated fat
- Older adults with slower digestion and motility
- Children under age 2 who have immature digestive function
If you have ongoing digestive health issues or are in one of these groups, consider minimizing bacon or trying alternative breakfast proteins.
Healthier and More Digestible Bacon Options
For an occasional treat, most healthy adults can handle a couple slices of regular bacon without issues. But there are some more digestive-friendly bacon options:
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Turkey or chicken bacon – Less fat than pork bacon makes it easier on the stomach.
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Beef bacon – Also has slightly less saturated fat than regular pork bacon.
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Vegan bacon – Made from eggplant, coconut, tempeh or mushrooms with no heavy animal fat.
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Uncured bacon – Minimally processed without nitrites/nitrates that can irritate some stomachs.
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Canadian bacon – Leaner back bacon that cooks up less greasy.
So switching up your bacon type, cooking method and portion size can allow you to still enjoy it while supporting better digestion.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional minor digestive discomfort after eating fatty foods is normal. But if you regularly experience symptoms like abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea and diarrhea after eating any food, including bacon, see your physician.
They can evaluate whether you may have a condition like:
- Food intolerance
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Gallbladder disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Pancreatitis
- Peptic ulcer
Seeking medical advice is particularly important if your symptoms are progressive or persistent. With treatment from a gastroenterologist, any underlying digestive issues can be managed so problem foods are better tolerated.
The Bottom Line
Bacon is high in fat which makes it slower to digest than other breakfast proteins like eggs or yogurt. Allowing 7-13 hours for full digestion is typical. Those with digestive disorders may struggle to break down bacon and should limit intake. For others, being mindful of portion size, drinking enough fluids, and properly preparing bacon can minimize any GI upset. While not a health food, enjoying the occasional serving of bacon is fine for most healthy adults. But any persistent digestion difficulties after eating bacon warrant a discussion with your doctor.
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Bacon is a carcinogen
In 2015 the World Health Organization classified bacon and other processed meats including ham, salami, and hot dogs, as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning theres strong evidence that eating them increases your risk of cancer, particularly bowel and stomach cancer but also pancreatic and prostate cancers. The WHO designation was based on findings of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 22 cancer experts from 10 countries, who analyzed more than 400 studies on processed meat using epidemiological data from hundreds of thousands of people. Reporting in The Lancet Oncology, the IARC estimated that for every 50-gram portion of processed meat eaten daily (roughly 2 strips of bacon), colorectal cancer risk increased by 18%.
Nitrites and nitrates are preservatives that are often found in bacon and other cured meats. When cooked over high heat, they turn into nitrosamines, which are known to cause cancer. Bacon and other processed meats have been added to a list of more than 100 known carcinogens. They are now in Group 1, along with tobacco smoke and asbestos. But that doesn’t mean bacon is as bad as cigarettes. Every year, 34,000 people die of cancer because they eat too much processed meat, while every year, 1 million people die because they smoke cigarettes. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e.
“I would like to see people cut back on eating processed meats,” says physician-scientist William Li, MD, author of Eat to Beat Disease, The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself. “The overwhelming evidence shows that heavy consumption of red and processed meat places a burden on health.”
To be clear, the IARC analysis of studies on processed meat consumption did not find causation, but a correlation between eating a lot of processed meat and increased cancer risk. And whats not known is if the meat-eaters studied had other poor eating habits, such as consuming added sugars and refined carbohydrates, which might have impacted their health outcomes. “They certainly arent eating small to moderate amounts of grass-fed or organic meat along with a pile of colorful fruits and veggies,” writes Mark Hyman, MD, author of The Pegan Diet: 21 Practical Principles for Reclaiming Your Health in a Nutritionally Confusing World.
Hyman thinks that red meat is not the bad guy that it’s been portrayed as being. He also thinks that bacon can be a part of our diet, but only if it’s organic, sustainably and humanely raised. “If you opt to eat meat, the most important thing to think about is quality,” writes Hyman. “Overconsumption of processed, factory-farmed meats is absolutely bad for you. Grass-fed meat has much better types of that than grain-fed—more omega-3s and fewer omega-6s. “.
“My philosophy is that all food can fit into a healthy diet,” says nutritionist Jana Mowrer, MPH, RD, founder of HealthWins.org. Even bacon. The danger, she says, is that the more red meat people consume, the less they tend to eat other food groups, particularly those with fiber such as vegetables.
“A diet high in fiber supports gut health and regular bowel movements and gives you a wide range of health benefits,” says Mowrer. “Bacon and other highly processed, fatty meats, kill off healthy gut bacteria. Mowers says, “Take his advice and eat bacon once in a while. Just make sure that real, whole foods are the main focus of every meal.” For more, see The Best Way to Eat for your Microbiome and Improve Gut Health.
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Surprising Benefit of BACON!!! #carnivorediet #carnivore
Is Bacon bad for You?
If you follow food trends, you know the bacon craze is still on. It seems whatever is served, this popular processed meat can figure in as a flavor booster, whether it’s for pizza, salad, dessert, or even liquor. Still, conflicting reports about bacon abound. First you hear it’s bad for you. Then it’s OK. So, should you eat it or not?
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Should you eat bacon?
You’re fine if you move bacon from the star of the meal to guilty pleasure status. It’s best to choose poultry, fish, and beans for your main proteins, McCullough says. If you do eat red and processed meats, go for the lean cuts and keep servings small. Bacon has been getting a bad rap in the health world.
Is Bacon good for You?
“Bacon smells and tastes great. However, I have never seen any evidence that it is actually good for you,” says Sonya Angelone, a registered dietitian nutritionist and a nutrition expert in San Francisco. People tend to think of bacon as a fresh cut of meat, like a pork chop or a steak. It’s not. It starts out as pork belly.
What foods are hard to digest?
Any meats that are tough or fibrous may be hard to digest. These include: Other protein sources may give you some trouble going through your digestive system. These can include: Whole-grain bread, pastries, and other whole-grain flour-based items may be more difficult to digest.
What food is not good for digestion?
Foods that might affect digestion health are processed meats, fried foods, high-fat dairy products, refined carbohydrates (sugar), spicy foods, acidic foods and alcohol. Food that can improve your digestion are wholemeal bread, brown rice, fruits and vegetables, beans and oats.