What The Heck? Wednesday #20 (BHT)

BHT is a commonly seen ingredient in a lot of today's foods. It's been shown to cause a lot of problems, especially to those with a BHT sensitivity which usually goes unseen. A lot of people who are gluten-free are actually reported to have a BHT sensitivity as well. BHT is used in many gluten-free products to preserve flavor and is definitely an ingredient you should become more aware of which I help you with in this post.


Key points:

• BHT is a common ingredient used to preserve a food’s color, odor, and flavor.
• Some people who are gluten-free are also shown to have BHT sensitivities as well.
• Many people mistake BHT symptoms for gluten symptoms since they are very similar.
• BHT is 100% free of gluten, however, you should be checked out to see if you have a BHT sensitivity is you still deal with glutened like symptoms.
• BHT is also used to treat herpes and cold sores....why are we eating this?

Most common symptoms of a BHT sensitivity:

• Mood changes
• Behavior changes
• Eczema
• Disturbed sleep
• Sinus pain
• Headache
• Itching
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Throat swelling
• Asthma
• Hives

Where it's banned:

• England
• Romania
• Sweden
• Australia

Why it's banned:

• In a study done in 1970, it was shown to cause cancer in the animals it was tested on.
• It has been shown to cause liver and kidney damage, behavioral problems, infertility, weakened immune system, birth defects, cancer; should be avoided by infants, young children, pregnant women and those sensitive to aspirin.

More info and sources:

• BHT Info and Overview
• BHT Sensitivity Info
• BHT Harmful Ingredient Article

Are you going to try and avoid BHT now or do you avoid it already? Comment below!