Scientists: Bacon could help you live longer

Praise Bacon!

 

 

Han Solo frozen inside liquid chocolate bacon
Han Solo frozen inside liquid chocolate bacon

Researchers at ETH Zurich are showing that bacon, which is packed with niacin -Vitamin B3- could help you live a longer life. Teams of researchers fed roundworms doses of the vitamin and the element increased their lifespan by one-tenth longer. The vitamin fools the body into thinking that it’s performing exercise. Such compounds are called “exercise memetics.”

Niacin is found in peanuts, bran, paprika, chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, veal and most importantly… bacon! So if you were thinking of having that bacon cupcake, or hickory smoked bacon chocolate, now’s the time! Of course, people are not roundworms, so we’ll have to see what effects niacin can have in human trials. However, the scientists at ETC do say:

“The results of the study may also be of relevance for humans, says professor Michael Ristow. After all, the metabolic pathway initiated by niacin is very similar in roundworms and higher organisms. Whether niacin has similar effects on the life expectancy of mice is the subject of Ristow’s current research. Previous studies also suggest a health-enhancing effect of niacin in humans with elevated blood cholesterol levels.”

We at TLR volunteer to be a guinea pig for any clinical trials as long as there’s free bacon!