tBHQ: A Cancer-Causing Food Ingredient Found In Many Food Products
A few years ago, a popular health blogger began exposing the possible dangers of a food ingredient called tBHQ, which is also known as tertiary butylhydroquinone, tert-Butylhydroquinone or t-butyl hydroquinone. This has been found in a large number of foods and has the potential to promote cancer formation, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
What Is tBHQ?
t-Butylhydroquinone is a white to tan, crystalline powder. It has a very slight odor. t-Butylhydroquinone is very soluble in water. t-Butylhydroquinone is used as an antioxidant in food (EAFUS) and cosmetics and as a chemical stabilizer. It is also an inert ingredient in some ant and roach insecticides.
tBHQ is the one that stops the oxidation of molecules in food, thus stopping them from going rancid or rotten.
The unhealthier fats you eat, the more tBHQ you’ll consume. You’ll probably consume the most tBHQ if you are on low-carb diets that consume lots of fats with minimal nutritive value.
tBHQ is a man-made compound that starts as hydroquinone, which is an agent used in the photographic development and for reducing silver, and then has a tertiary butyl group added to its molecular structure.
This compound is not naturally occurring and shares the same molecular structures with other butyl molecules, just like those found in the lighter fluid.
Some of the foods that contain tBHQ are:
- Soy milk brands
- Processed fats and oils like Canola Oil
- Soft drinks Cooking and frying oil at many restaurants (particularly fast food)
- Frozen, non-organic fish products
- Most non-organic, packaged foods
- It’s not just food that contains tBHQ. Other products with tBHQ are:
- Cosmetics like hair dye, lipstick, and eyeshadow (probably not listed on the label)
- Lacquers, resins, and varnishes
- Some pet food varieties
Dangers Of tBHQ
Potentially Promotes Cancer
Could Cause Neurological Symptoms
Can Cause Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Could Lead To Food Allergies
Cheryl Rockwell, Ph.D., a researcher at Michigan State University, has been conducting research in immunology and how tBHQ interacts with immunity. Her team discovered many of its immune damaging effects which could possibly promote food allergies.
One of their abstract states likes this:
“Overall, these studies suggest that low doses of the food additive, tBHQ, increase IgE response to food allergen and exacerbate clinical signs of immediate hypersensitivity.”
Might Damage Immunity
tBHQ may hinder immune-supporting processes in the body, thereby damaging the function of your immune system, and cause you to be more vulnerable to disease or illness.
May Cause Damage To Red Blood Cells
How To Avoid tBHQ
Choose natural substitutes that have more antioxidant activity than tBHQ as well as don’t carry side effects like their synthetic counterparts.
Some of the natural antioxidants to use instead of tBHQ include:
- Green tea extracts
- Olive Extracts
- Citrus extract
- Cinnamon oil
- Clove oil
- Chinese cinnamon extract
- Rosemary extract and Rosemary Oil
- Broccoli sprout extract
- Sesame oil extracts
- Sunflower oil extract
Make changes all at once by starting making easy substitutions. Use avocado oil, ghee oil, or coconut oil for high-heat cooking at home. Fill your plate with more whole, non-packaged foods and opt for organic when you can feasibly do so. Lastly, treat your self with sparkling water rather than of soda.
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