Our diet has a big, if not essential, impact on our ability to stay healthy. That being said, moderation is essential. Overindulging in a particular food can have an impact on our general health.

If we wish to preserve our physical and mental well-being, we should all aim for a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

Speaking of foods that can harm our bodies, there is a particular Thai dish that is so harmful to eat that it is thought to kill 20,000 people annually.

Except for one essential component, none of the ingredients are dangerous in and of themselves.

People in modern-day Laos and Isan consider this dish, called Koi Pla, to be a salad even though it is made with raw fish, lemon juice, herbs, and spices. For extra taste, galangal, shallots, and mint are occasionally added.

Fish from a body of water in the Mekong region that harbors parasitic flatworms is used to make this dish.

Unfortunately, if people eat this food, they may end up with parasites in their bodies. Liver cancer is caused by these parasites attacking the liver.

The majority of people with this type of cancer are from East Asia.

Doctor Narong Khuntikeo is working to increase public awareness of Koi Pla’s hazards. After eating this dish, his own parents passed away from liver cancer.

The doctor and a team of scientists conducted urine tests and ultrasound scans on the residents of the area where the dish is regularly consumed in 2017.

The findings indicated that approximately 80% of individuals from various communities had contracted the parasite.

The majority of the residents won’t care when the results are shared with them.

One of them remarked, “Oh well, there are many ways to die.” Another person added, “I’ve never had a checkup before, so I think I’ll probably have it because I’ve been eating (koi pla) since I was little.”