99% of all Thai food on the street is prepared using Palm Oil.
Palm oil is a vegetable oil high in saturated fat. It comes from the fruit of the palm tree Elaeis guineensis. This tree originated in West Africa but has since spread to other tropical areas including Southeast Asia.
Due to its low production costs and quality, palm oil is in high demand. It’s used in:
- foods
- detergents
- cosmetic products
- biofuel
However, this product has been linked to cancer risk. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), palm oil can cause cancer when processed at high temperatures (Wok cooking).
EFSA found that certain contaminants in palm oil can increase the risk of cancer. When incorporating palm oil into foods and related products, the oil is heated. However, processing palm oil causes glycidyl fatty acid esters (GEs) to form.
When digested, GEs break down and release glycidol, a substance known for its carcinogenic effects in animals and its suspected harm to humans. Cancer studies Trusted Source found that administering glycidol to the stomachs of mice and rats caused malignant and benign tumor growths.
Thai Street food is delicious and a big part of any trip to Thailand.
However, if you live in Thailand, you should be aware of what you are eating.
Too much palm oil, salt and sugar will only cause increased health issues when you get older.
Take care of yourself and eat responsibly before this become a major and expensive health issue.