Why is bht used

BHT is used in chewing gum, animal feed, preserved meats, dehydrated foods, baked goods, snack foods, certain edible fats, and other foods that contain fats and additional flavoring. You may wish to avoid them—but not necessarily because of the preservatives they contain.

Whole or minimally processed foods are usually more nutrient-dense, providing more of the nutrition your body needs to function well. Research has estimated the amount of BHA and BHT that would be present in an average diet and didn't find any problems. However, studies suggest that consuming unusually large quantities of BHA may have some interactions with hormonal birth control methods or steroid hormones.

Here's a close look at what some of the current research has to say about foods and other products containing these additives. As a precaution, vulnerable populations, such as infants, young children, and people who are pregnant or lactating may want to avoid BHA and BHT. The FDA considers foods containing approved levels of BHA and BHT safe for consumption and there is not enough evidence to show that these amounts pose a threat to human health.

But larger doses may put you at risk for developing certain forms of cancer. Despite this, cereal manufacturers like General Mills have actually removed BHT from their cereals to help clear up any confusion around safety and put consumers at ease. The best way to avoid BHT and BHA in food is to steer clear of packaged, processed foods and stick to fresh whole foods whenever possible.

Excessive consumption of ultra-processed food is linked to a number of chronic health conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, but that has little to do with BHT and BHA and more so to do with the high amounts of fat and added sugar found in these foods. Food preservatives and additives like BHA and BHT are safe to consume in the specific dose recommended by the FDA, but keep in mind that scientific research on the long-term effects of higher doses is still ongoing.

The main health concern may not be the additives themselves, but rather, the nutritional value of the processed foods that contain them. Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track.

Sign up and get it free! Updated April 1, Comparative study of antioxidant activity of some amides. A review on mechanisms and commercial aspects of food preservation and processing.

There are people who would choose to 'eat' BHT. A book from the late 70's or early 80's was written by some masters level students called "life extension". I think they sold the rights to the name to a store chain. You may have seen one of their stores. This young couple promoted consumption of BHT. They thought that we did not get enough of it in our food supply. They thought that this and other synthetic chemicals would assist the body and extend our lives.

They noted that BHT was an alternative treatment for herpes and that the suspected mechanism was exposing the underlying structure of the virus to the body's defenses by stripping off the outer coating. Cindy March 3, PM. Delicia Ambrosino March 26, PM. I'd rather see activism on whole, green, organic foods A to Z at prices everyone can afford.

I'd rather see activism on cleaning up and stopping the damage of our oceans as they, the oceans, suck a lot of CO2 out of the atmosphere cleansing what we breathe, make it so we have water on land so we can eat, farm, and drink, and keep the weather "normal" which hasn't been the case for years, and finally, helps to keep temperatures normal for whatever area including desert, the arctics, temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical. Sylvia Earle said, "Without the blue there will be no green.

Without the green there will be no us". We are extremely tied to the oceans. The water and salt content in our bodies is almost equivalent to that of the oceans. Sharks are our one greatest hope of finding a cure for cancer though few know about it. Now, that reason alone should be enough incentive to be an activist for the oceans especially when approximately 75 million shark are caught, have their fins removed, and dumped back into the ocean alive to painfully drown or bleed out Plus because of that, sharks are apex predators which means they help keep the ocean balanced.

An unbalanced ocean is an ocean in deep trouble and therefore, so are we. So after knowing how important oceans are to our well being and there are few activists saying anything about that what do you think is more important- BHT or getting our oceans back to a healthy state? Eating clean green food, breathing clean air, having clean water, having a healthy land with normal weather and temperatures, and the medicines we need or BHT?

In my opinion, if someone wants to be an activist or something why not that and green, organic foods? After all, we get a lot of foods and medicines from the ocean. Give me a break. That's nit picking in my book. Why not go for something that's really important?

Like really jumping on the band wagon to save our world and our people. Thanks for reading. David May 4, PM. Tara June 18, PM. Wouldn't that be a fear of chemotherapy? Because I'll tell you, as a cancer patient that has endured brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to combat a malignant brain tumour, while I don't have a fear of chemotherapy, I do have a fear of ingesting carcinogenic foods and chemicals.

CroSel August 31, PM. Thank you Tara for your well supported comment. It's enlightening to know that BHT causes cancer in Hamsters. Bare in mind, studies such as: Will BHT cause cancer in human beings most likely is not condoned due to ethical and legal reasons of experimenting on humans.

Therefore, I would not take this research lightly and I think it's fair to extrapolate it to human beings since we're organisms as well. Isabella Kerr September 16, PM. I have been shocked with some opinions. I guess some people do not do a research. I am going to switch to other low sugar brands. Simply I do not like sweet food. Unfortunately I have had a skin cancer that showed that I am prone to have a cancer.

I am sorry I did not do my research earlier. I have been eating this cereal for a long time. Jacqueline M January 24, PM. You clearly have not read deeply into BHT, furthermore, this article does not state all of the findings. Alain Roy March 20, PM. Perhaps we can now address Sodium aluminum phosphate in rising crust pizzas. From Nestles to Pillsbury they all claim that it's the only chemical agent known to enable the dough to rise.

To my knowledge McCains introduced in a new sodium aluminum phosphate free rising crust pizzas. Best regards. Some turnovers and other rising dough pasteries incorporate this ingredient.

Name June 11, AM. This has massively increased residue levels to PPM and more, of this noxious substance in our bread and cereal. The american government which is in the pocket of the makers of glyphosate last year massively increased the permitted residue levels in farm produce anywhere from 2 times to 25 times depending on the food stuff. Now they want to force this noxious waste and their gmo waste on europe by way of TTIP that is, if you are not already eating this garbage and you easily could be.

Bread or cereal is very possibly the cause. Mickey August 25, PM. It's good to be concerned about nutrition. But it's also good to know how real science works. This self-important nazi-bloggers do no good.

And no, I don't work for any food company. I agree with the BHT being removed, probably many othe thingss should be removed as well. Is this also in Canada? I would like to know why all cereals and all foods nearly have so much sugar in them. It is usually second on the list showing the content is very high in sugar' It is not only in cereal, but all foods nearly. Annalissa January 19, PM. So, a woman who has no background in food, nutrition, chemistry, etc. Why are you believing someone that has no idea what she's talking about?

Do you not read any of the disclaimers that clearly state that she and other Bloggers are only stating their opinion, and that their conclusions aren't based on any type of actual science, that everything they write it the way they put things together.

Reminds me of all the people that believe that margarine is plastic because of a one molecule difference. Or the ones that swear up and down if you put hydrogen in something you're gonna die. Guess what sweetie Better stop drinking water, it's hydrogenated!

H2 treated with Oxygen. Before passing judgement and spreading misinformation take a few general science classes and some basic chemistry classes! Spiz February 3, PM. Annalissa You're ridiculous. It's not the hydrogen that is bad, it's the by product. Have you missed out on the fact of how dangerous trans fats are for us!! You scientists think you can play God with our food and in effect our bodies and health!!

I think you are the one who needs to do some research. Or at least be more open minded. Jenny Rose April 20, AM. As with the other critique given I have to state my concern is that you haven't put any facts out to support your argument. There is rather compelling evidence against BHT as well as that it isn't harmful.

A valid concern may be that science can be biased based upon who is doing the research. BHT was not a reproductive or developmental toxin in animals. BHT has been found to enhance and to inhibit the humoral immune response in animals. BHT itself was not generally considered genotoxic, although it did modify the genotoxicity of other agents.

BHT has been associated with hepatocellular and pulmonary adenomas in animals, but was not considered carcinogenic and actually was associated with a decreased incidence of neoplasms. BHT has been shown to have tumor promotion effects, to be anticarcinogenic, and to have no effect on other carcinogenic agents, depending on the target organ, exposure parameters, the carcinogen, and the animal tested.

The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has also listed BHA as a Category 1 priority substance, based on evidence that it interferes with hormone function [3]. Long-term exposure to high doses of BHT is toxic in mice and rats, causing liver, thyroid and kidney problems and affecting lung function and blood coagulation [4]. BHT can act as a tumour promoter in certain situations [5].

Limited evidence suggests that high doses of BHT may mimic estrogen [6], the primary female sex hormone, and prevent expression of male sex hormones [7], resulting in adverse reproductive affects.