Wednesday 8 April 2009

BACON CURES HANGOVER!!!


The reaction between amino acids in the bacon and reducing sugars in the fat is what provides the bacon sandwich with its appeal Photo: GETTY

Researchers claim food also speeds up the metabolism helping the body get rid of the booze more quickly.

Elin Roberts, of Newcastle University's Centre for Life said: "Food doesn't soak up the alcohol but it does increase your metabolism helping you deal with the after-effects of over indulgence. So food will often help you feel better.

Ms Roberts told The Mirror: "Bingeing on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters too, but bacon contains a high level of aminos which tops these up, giving you a clearer head."

Researchers also found a complex chemical interaction in the cooking of bacon produces the winning combination of taste and smell which is almost irresistible.

The reaction between amino acids in the bacon and reducing sugars in the fat is what provides the sandwich with its appeal.

Ms Roberts said: "The smell of sizzling bacon in a pan is enough to tempt even the staunchest of vegetarians. There's something deeper going on inside. It's not just the idea of a tasty snack. There is some complex chemistry going on.

"Meat is made of mostly protein and water. Inside the protein, it's made up of building blocks we call amino acids. But also, you need some fat. Anyone who's been on a diet knows if you take all the fat from the meat, it just doesn't taste the same. We need some of the fat to give it the flavour."

She explained that the reaction released hundreds of smells and flavours but it is the smell which reels in the eater. "Smell and taste are really closely linked," she said. "If we couldn't smell then taste wouldn't be the same."

from www.telegraph.co.uk

Proof of a) Furry's theory of bacon sarnies being Best. Hangover. Cure. Ever. and b) my theory that bacon is the gate way drug for vegetarians

7 comments:

Griffin said...

Well she's right that the body needs fats, but there are good and bad fats too. Also if you don't exercise, the fats, which are there to give you energy are stored and you get overweight after a while.

The other thing is that bacon is often salted so you can get even more dehydrated having had a lot of alcohol.

So yes a decent bacon sarnie is good stuff, but you a) need water with it and b) need to exercise every day too... tho' possibly streaking at the races isn't quite the exercise Doctor Roberts had in mind!!

I suppose you could always write and ask her tho'...!

Jazz said...

The idea of eating bacon when I'm hung over... just thinking of it makes me feel ill.

Katie said...

Not sure I could stomach it when hung over... but totally agree about the gateway drug. I mostly only eat bacon at burning man, because it's even more miraculous there! (and makes people drink water which is a good thing in the desert)

Anonymous said...

oops wrong account. oh well!

Anonymous said...

I am allover this post! I so agree PG. I saw a t shirt on a blog yesterday it read: I'd eat a baby if it was wrapped in bacon.
Nuff said.

Maree said...

Totally agree that bacon is brilliant at helping with hangovers! I have one super foolproof cure that probably works on the same principals of fatty acids- but adds the metabolism boosting powers of chili- laksa! Works for me every time.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.