Bak kut teh is a very popular soup, especially in Malaysia and Singapore, but also in many other places. It’s basically pork chops simmered in a broth of herbs and spices for hours. A simple, yet delicious dish from the rich Asian cuisine background. However, scientists from the University of Adelaide say some people should be a little careful when considering a bowl of bak kut teh.
Bak kut teh is a popular soup, commonly enjoyed in Malaysia, Singapore and other Asian countries. Image credit: Alpha from Melbourne via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The problem is that bak kut teh consists of herbs that release substances that react with certain prescription drugs in a highly toxic manner. It doesn’t even matter where the soup is made – homemade or restaurant soups are equally dangerous and can cause liver damage. People who already have liver disease or are taking prescription medications should know this, but those preparing and serving bak kut teh should also list its ingredients very carefully. Currently, scientists don’t know exactly which herbs are toxic, so it’s better to be on the safe side.
Scientists studied the recipe of four packets of bak kut teh mix purchased in Australia. Preparing bak kut teh the traditional way takes hours, as the bones need to simmer for hours in a broth of herbs and spices. Nobody has the time and patience for that, which is why mixed packages exist. Scientists found that the ingredients of bak kut teh killed 83% of the liver cells it was mixed with. And that’s not surprising – people who are on prescription medications or have liver disease have heard that they need to avoid herbal foods because it can be dangerous. In rare cases, the herbs damage the liver to the point of requiring a transplant or the patient simply dies.
This is the first time scientists have shown that foods containing herbs, such as bak kut teh soup, can also be toxic to liver cells. Scientists warn that understanding the cause is a very complex issue, requiring a lot of work. Professor Roger Byard, lead author of the study, said: “If unexpected liver damage is encountered at autopsy, information should be sought on the possibility of recent ingestion of herbal food preparations. as routine toxicology testing will not identify the active ingredients. Therefore, liver damage can be caused not only by herbal medicine but also by herbal products found in food.”
If you’re taking prescription medication, you should read labels carefully and consult with your doctor about dietary changes you need to make to avoid liver damage. Because liver damage can be life-changing at best and fatal at worst. All recipes for bak kut teh show significant toxicity – you need to keep that in mind when thinking about enjoying this soup.
Source: University of Adelaide
