SHARES
Durian. It’s time of the year – the DURIAN season again! Some love it to bits, but some will avoid it as far as they can. Is durian good or bad for your health? Chinese believe that durian will make you ‘heaty’, some say you can’t drink beer while eating durian. True or false? Let’s explore by digging into the science facts of durian.
1.How much sugar does durian contain?
For every 100g fruit, it contains averagely 7 to 13 gram sugar, which equals to 140 to 180 calories. Compare to other fruits, yes durian is one type of fruit with higher calorie. Durians contain simple sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose. Too much sugar intake will increase the chance of getting diabetes, which is the number 1 killer of Malaysians. So do watch out your intake!
2. Can I gain weight by eating durian?
It is rich with fat too, the fat content ranges from 7 gram per 100 gram, depending on different types of durian. Is fat good for you? That is another topic for us to discuss.
3. Can I get ‘heaty’ eating too much durian?
Image from yearofthedurian
According to traditional chinese medicine, it is a type of ‘heaty’ fruit, so yes, eating too much will get yourself heaty. Actually the fruit contains sulfide which has thermogenesis effect. It will activate the TRPA1 and TRPV1 (protein) in our body, which makes us feel the heat. It is almost the same with the ingredient commonly found in chilies, pepper, turmeric or other spices. This may explain why some of us feel heaty after consuming durian.
4. Will drinking beer and having durian at the same time kill me?
(Image from yearofthedurian) Will you drink beer and eat durian at the same time?
There were some researches in the past, but due to limited evidence, it hasn’t come to a conclusion yet. However, in year 2009, there was a research by University of Tsukuba which discovered the rich content of sulfide. The sulfide will combine with acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, slowing down the process of oxidizing ethanol into acetaldehyde. The oxidizing process is important as it further converts the ethanol into the harmless acetic acid (vinegar). So yes, you may feel uncomfortable eating durian together with drinking alcohol, however whether it’s life risking, still yet come to a conclusion.
5. What nutrients does it contain?
Durian is naturally rich in potassium, dietary fibre, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex. The king of fruits is thus excellent for improving muscle strength and blood pressure, bowel movements and skin health. It also supports the nervous and immune systems, and enhances red blood cell formation.
6. Eating durian will spike my cholesterol level.
False! On contrary, durians have ZERO cholesterol! It can actually help lower your levels of bad LDL cholesterol with it’s heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Cholesterol is found in foods containing saturated fats such as red meats, seafood and dairy products.
What other health concerns do you have while taking this king of fruit? Let us know!
by Qian
Qian's interest in healthcare industry came about after her father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. This experience has led her to become a strong believer in empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. View all articles by Qian.
