Foods and drinks to avoid when eating durians

According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, durians are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients including phytonutrients, water, protein, and beneficial fiber. This fruit can enhance immunity, help prevent cancer, inhibit free radical activity, improve digestion, strengthen bones, alleviate anemia symptoms, prevent premature aging, lower blood pressure, and fight cardiovascular diseases.

Additional benefits of durian include reducing arthritis, improving thyroid health, relieving headaches, and alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

However, caution is advised when consuming durians with these foods:

Durians. Illustration photo by Manh Khuong

Alcohol

Consuming durians with alcohol can produce excessive body heat, which is harmful. For individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure, this combination can lead to headaches, a rapid heartbeat, and, in more severe cases, bleeding and strokes.

Certain types of meat like beef, lamb, or dog, and seafood

Durians are high in sugar, potassium, fat, and have a high glycemic index. Meats such as beef, lamb, or dog, and seafood are rich in protein and also high in fat. The saturated fats in these meats can elevate blood cholesterol levels. Eating durians with these meats can cause a sudden spike in body cholesterol levels.

Spicy foods such as peppers, chili, ginger, or garlic

Eating durians with spicy foods like peppers, chili, ginger, and garlic can lessen the fruit’s flavor. Both durians and these foods are known for their “heatiness,” a concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine indicating an excess of heat in the body. Consuming them together can lead to restlessness and discomfort.

Coffee

Pairing durians with coffee can lead to digestive issues and particularly bad breath. Durians contain a significant amount of sulfur-containing oil, which, when mixed with the caffeine in coffee, can inhibit the activity of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. This results in 70% of cell oxidants remaining unmetabolized, potentially causing toxicity in the body.