Durian is a tropical fruit, famous for its characteristic aroma, this fruit is also rich in nutrients, bringing great benefits to our health. So what are the effects of eating durian?

1. Why does durian smell so strong?

Durian has a very strong scent. Some people love this scent, but some people can’t stand it and find this scent “stinky” and describe it as rotten onions, turpentine or sewage.

Because of its strong scent, this fruit has been banned in many hotels and public transport in many parts of the world.

A study of aromatic compounds in durian found 44 different compounds. Among them, the research team confirmed the presence of the rare amino acid ethionine in durian and that this amino acid plays a major role in forming the characteristic scent of durian.

2. How is durian used in everyday life?

Instructions on how to open a durian can be found on social media, as well as many related recipes. But basically, if you have never opened a durian before, here are some basic steps:

• First, you should wear gloves or protective gloves to open the hard and thorny shell of the durian.
  Next, you need to observe to identify the grooves of the durian so that you can gently pry it open before separating the durian flesh.
• After that, you can eat the flesh inside the durian directly or process it or combine it with different dishes such as sticky rice, juice, soup, desserts.
• Semi-freezing will change the texture of the durian slightly, making the durian flesh softer, looser and chewier.
• Durian is also used in processed foods such as candy, ice cream, cakes. However, these products typically only provide a taste of durian for those who enjoy it, although they rarely provide the health benefits of eating the fruit directly.
• Durian is also used in traditional medicine, although some of its medicinal properties are still under research.

Durian has a distinctive smell and is rich in nutrients.

3. How nutritious is durian?

Durian has a very high nutritional content compared to most other fruits. Durian contains potassium, fiber, iron and vitamin B, …. and high antioxidant content.

In addition, studies have also shown that the thorny outer shell of durian has cough-reducing and antibiotic properties.

However, if you are planning to lose weight, you should not eat too much. Because durian is high in calories. A cup of durian smoothie can provide the body with an amount equivalent to 357 calories, 13 grams of fat, 66 grams of carbs, 9 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 88% of the daily vitamin C requirement, 38% of the daily vitamin B6 requirement, 30% of the daily potassium requirement.

In addition, eating durian also helps provide thiamine, manganese, riboflavin, copper, folate, magnesium, niacin, anthocyanins, carotenoids, polyphenols and flavonoids, many compounds with antioxidant properties, helping to beautify the skin, maintain youthfulness for both men and women.

4. What are the effects of eating durian?

In addition to the durian flesh, all parts of the durian tree such as leaves, bark, roots and fruit have been used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as high fever, jaundice and skin diseases.

In addition, studies show that eating durian brings the following health benefits:

• Reduce the risk of cancer: Antioxidants in durian can neutralize cancer-causing free radicals.
• Prevent heart disease: Some compounds in durian can help reduce blood cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis.
• Anti-infective: The skin of durian contains compounds that have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
• Lowers blood sugar: Durian has a lower glycemic index (GI) than many other tropical fruits, meaning that durian causes a small increase in blood sugar, with less of an impact on blood sugar than many other tropical fruits.

Antioxidants in durian help reduce the risk of cancer

5. What should be noted to eat durian safely and effectively?

Although durian is a rich source of nutrients and brings many health benefits, if eaten incorrectly, it can be harmful and even lead to dangerous situations for the human body.

For example, consuming durian at the same time as alcohol is not recommended. Scientists believe that sulfur-like compounds in durian can block some enzymes that break down alcohol, increasing blood alcohol concentration, causing harm to health, possibly increasing the risk of health problems with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and rapid heartbeat. Therefore, users should avoid eating durian and drinking alcohol at the same time.