Tbhq: Nutrition, Pros & Cons
Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is a synthetic food-grade antioxidant commonly used to preserve fats, oils, and packaged foods from rancidity. Its usage is strictly regulated in India to ensure safety.
Health conditions
Pros
- Effectively prevents the oxidation of oils and fats, thereby extending shelf life and preventing the formation of toxic rancid byproducts. [FSSAI]
Cons
- Often found in highly processed foods, and high dietary exposure to synthetic preservatives is generally associated with ultra-processed diets rather than whole foods. [PubMed]