Bacon’s been around since the early days of the American frontier. But it wasn’t available in a crispy, juicy form for a long time.
I’m always looking for new ways to spice up my morning routine, so I’ve taken to cooking up some delicious raw bacon on the weekends.
But the question on everyone’s mind…can you eat raw turkey bacon?
There are many myths about eating raw turkey. Some people claim it is unsafe, some say it is deadly, and others say it is okay.
There is a lot of debate among the general public about the safety of eating raw turkey bacon. Many people enjoy it because it gives an authentic poultry flavor.
But does eating raw turkey bacon pose a health risk? We decided to look into this issue and see what we could find.
Is it safe to eat raw turkey bacon?
Raw Turkey bacon is uncured, unprocessed bacon. It is usually stored in brine, a solution of salt, sugar, water, and sometimes spices. Before the bacon is sold, the brine is drained off.
Many people think it is healthy to eat raw bacon because of its high-fat content. However, it is essential to know that raw bacon contains nitrites that cause cancer.
Raw bacon also includes a lot of calories. A 3 oz piece of raw bacon has about 120 calories. In addition, it is not recommended to eat raw bacon as it can cause severe stomach problems.
It is unhealthy for you to eat raw bacon because it contains high levels of nitrates. Nitrites are chemicals that can cause cancer and are found in cured meats like bacon.
These chemicals react with the proteins in your body and form cancer-causing substances.
Besides being high in sodium content, it is also full of preservatives to prolong its life, which is hazardous to health.
Processed food items like turkey bacon also pose the risk of diabetes and heart disease, affecting your health in the long run.
Food poisoning tops the list of immediate risks of eating raw turkey bacon. Various parasites may enter your body from uncooked turkey bacon and cause gastrointestinal infections like:
- Trichinosis: A disease caused by the parasite Trichinella spiralis. It affects the intestinal wall and the muscles. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and headache. In severe cases, it can lead to blindness.
- Toxoplasmosis: caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which, once entered into your body, travels to the brain where it multiplies and can lead to convulsions, inflammation, and even death.
- Tapeworms: Tapeworms attach to your intestines, causing abdominal pain, intestinal blockages, or death.
Cooking eliminates the risks of contracting these parasites by killing them in heating.
How to best consume Turkey bacon?
The best way to consume turkey bacon is to buy processed and frozen turkey bacon that has been cooked and packaged and then bake or broil it until fully cooked.
This way, you avoid the risks of ingesting the parasites mentioned above.
Conclusion:
Eating raw turkey bacon can be safe for some, but it may not be the best option for everyone.
Some people love raw turkey bacon, but many don’t like the texture of the meat and the flavor of processed meat.
The truth is that it isn’t healthy and carries significant health risks.
To ensure you don’t have any food poisoning, you should cook the meat thoroughly so that the bacteria and parasites are killed before entering your body, preventing you from getting sick.
Jean Smith is a fitness enthusiast and blogger who focuses on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about assisting people in living healthier lifestyles and is constantly on the lookout for new and creative methods to stay fit and healthy. Her articles are excellent resources for anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.