Durian – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

07/06/2017 / By Earl Garcia

Durian, often called the king of fruits, is an exotic fruit that is native to Southeast Asia. The musky, pungent-smelling fruit is widely cultivated in the region, especially in Malaysia. The fruit is also grown in Thailand, Sri Lanka, southern Philippines, Vietnam, New Guinea, India, and other Asian countries. Interestingly, durian belongs to the same plant family as okra, cocoa beans, hibiscus, and cotton.

List of known nutrients

Durian is known for its many health benefits, thanks largely to its ample supply of essential vitamins and minerals. NutritionAndYou.com features a complete list of durian’s nutrients, which include:

Beta-carotene
Calcium
Copper
Folates
Iron
Lutein
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Pantothenic acid
Phosphorus
Potassium
Pyridoxine
Riboflavin
Sodium
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Zeaxanthrin
Zinc

Medicinal uses for durian

The king of fruits is notably rich in dietary fiber, making it an ideal food fare for the digestive system. The fiber in durian promotes bowel movement and facilitates excretion. Likewise, the high fiber content in durian stimulates peristaltic motion and the secretion of digestive and gastric juices. This in turn facilitates the digestive process and alleviates constipation, bloating, excess flatulence, and heartburn as well as indigestion and diarrhea.

Durian is also known for its cancer-fighting potential. The king of fruits contain high levels of antioxidants that fend off harmful effects of free radicals. The antioxidants in durian suppress oxidative stress and combat cancer cells. The high dietary fiber content in durian staves off colorectal cancer. Aside from this, the rich manganese supply in durian regulates and maintains blood sugar levels. This means that the king of fruit is especially beneficial to patients with diabetes.

Durian possesses heart-healthy properties too. The rich potassium content in durian acts as a vasodilator, easing blood vessel and reducing cardiovascular stress. On the other hand, the organosulfur in durian helps control inflammatory enzymes. This makes durian especially effective in preventing the onset of various heart conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. The fruit’s vasodilating properties are also promote cognitive function and memory, and reduce the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

In addition, the king of fruits is notably high in folic acid, copper, and iron, which are essential to red blood cell (RBC) production. Because of this, durian is deemed an effective anemia treatment. A sufficient RBC level also staves off the occurrences of migraines, fatigue, and anxiety. Moreover, the king of fruits is an excellent source of essential minerals — magnesium, potassium, manganese and copper — that promote bone health and fend off osteoporosis. Durian is also high in vitamin B6, an important nutrient that boosts serotonin production. This means that the fruit is an ideal go-to food for treating depression.

Furthermore, durian meat is known to increase sexual libido and stamina, and lower the odds of infertility in both men and women. Durian is also known to bolster sperm motility in men.

Body systems supported by durian

Durian is particularly helpful in maintaining healthy digestive and circulatory systems. Likewise, the king of fruits is beneficial to the skeletal, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Ways to use durian

Durian’s sweet and succulent flesh is commonly used in desserts such as sweets and baked goods. A number of interesting durian recipes can be found in AllRecipes.com.