Why is bha and bht bad

Butylated hydroxyanisole BHA and the related compound butylated hydroxytoluene BHT are phenolic compounds that are often added to foods to preserve fats and oils and keep them from becoming rancid. They are added to food, cosmetics, and packing of products that contain fats to maintain nutrient levels, color, flavor, and odor.

BHT is also sold as a dietary supplement for use as an antioxidant. The chemicals are found in an extensive list of products, yet there is concern about their safety.

Take a look at the chemical properties of these molecules, how they work, and why their use is controversial. Oxygen reacts preferentially with BHA or BHT rather than oxidizing fats or oils, thereby protecting them from spoilage. Both molecules are incompatible with ferric salts. In addition to preserving foods, BHA and BHT are also used to preserve fats and oils in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

BHA is generally used to keep fats from becoming rancid. It is also used as a yeast de-foaming agent. BHA is found in butter, meats, cereals, chewing gum, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, and beer. It is also found in animal feed, food packaging, cosmetics, rubber products, and petroleum products. BHT also prevents oxidative rancidity of fats. Still, moderation is important.

A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well.

Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type. More harmful than beneficial. Moderation is very important.

Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.

Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible. Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial.

Things placed into this category are generally a neither good nor bad for you, or b lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.

Butylated hydroxytoluene is an organic compound more commonly known as BHT. Chemically, it is a derivative of phenol and is beneficial for its antioxidant properties.

Fact sheet for Butylhydroxyanisol. What can we help you find? Sorry, but your search returned no results. Try searching with different keywords. Most research has been in animals and test tubes, not in people. The Food and Drug Administration FDA categorizes these food additives as GRAS — generally recognized as safe —which means they are widely considered safe for their intended use in specified amounts, but did not have to undergo pre-market review.

They are used to preserve fats and oils in cosmetics such as lipsticks and moisturizers among other cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. BHA is known to cause cancer in rats, and may be a cancer-causing agent in humans as well. Dangers: BHA and BHT have been known to impair blood clotting when consumed in high quantities, and promote tumor growth.