Bacon, one of America’s most beloved foods for any meal of the day, is often frowned upon for its unhealthy reputation. Though scientists have recently exposed that it increases consumers’ probability of getting cancer, bacon benefits the body in many ways that cannot be ignored. Here are just a select few.

1. Protein

Bacon contains a lot of protein, providing consumers with loads of long-term energy to make it through the day. The high amount of protein found in bacon also gives the consumers many necessary minerals, such as vitamin E, Iron, Zinc, and Magnesium. Bacon also contains omega 6 and B2, contributing necessary nutrients that people often overlook. Your body will definitely thank you for ensuring you give it appropriate levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals on a daily basis.

2. It doesn't necessarily affect one's lifespan

The oldest American woman alive, Susannah Mushatt Jones, at 116 years of age, admits to eating bacon every day. It hasn’t killed her yet! Though often maligned for its health effects, Jones exemplifies that bacon really doesn't have too noticeable an affect on one's health.

3. It goes with literally everything

Bacon can go in anything, literally, anything. No matter the time of day! Waffles, burgers, dates, jalapeños, grilled cheese, quiche, hot dogs, pizza, peanut butter, pasta… it doesn’t matter what you are cooking, bacon always enriches the flavor. It naturally enhances food without the plethora of spices.

4. A source of daily fats and oils

Bacon offers many of the daily fats and oils required for a healthy human diet. Though negative results can occur from overconsumption, bacon can benefit your overall health through providing many essential nutrients. As with all foods, appropriate portion sizes largely contribute to the effects; however, bacon fats and oils play an important role in human health.

5. Improves your mood

Do you ever have those incredibly awful days when everything goes wrong from the time you wake up? The stress is completely unbearable! Bacon is proven to reduce stress and improve your mood. Certain foods, such as bacon, produce a specific after-effect of calmness. After consuming, the mind receives the message from the body to relax. This is why you feel the need to nap after consuming specific foods. By consuming bacon, your stress levels reduce significantly. Through the reduction of stress, individuals improve their overall health and actually live longer and happier.

Though bacon typically gets a bad reputation for various valid reasons, it offers so many health benefits to its consumers. The nutrients, minerals, fats, and oils enable the body to feel healthy and happy. Because bacon uplifts your mood and reduces stress, others will enjoy your company more. Bacon positively impacts people, despite the negative side effects it may possess.