When was the last time you had durian in your shopping cart? Maybe it’s a staple in your diet or maybe you’ve never tried it! Durian is an uncommon fruit in the United States, yet very iconic in southeast Asian culture. This pungent smelling, thorn-covered fruit is renown as the smelliest of fruits- due to its unique attributes. Not only is durian exotic and flavorful, it’s also incredibly healthy!

Great Appetite Suppressor

Just one serving of durian contains about 20% of your daily calories! This densely caloric fruit contains enough fat to keep your tummy full and your chocolate-loving eye from wandering. Just one cup of durian contains a whopping 13 grams of fat! But not to worry, it’s the good kind of fat. Scientific research has proven that adequate fat intake can “suppress later food intake when present in the small intestine of both humans and animals.”

Reverses Aging

Aging is far from the faux pas the media makes it out to be. Here at Health Fitness Revolution, we believe every man and woman should wear their laugh lines and eye wrinkles like the tiger stripes they are. The wisdom and insight that comes with aging is an admirable and natural force of nature that should be welcomed with broad arms- rather than avoided.

But there is one thing about aging that isn’t debatable. The graceful aesthetics that come with aging should be handled with care. The best way to do so is to up your antioxidant dosage. Consuming antioxidants is vital to the process of aging- due to their protective properties. Antioxidants protect the skin and hair from oxidation or free radical damage. Free radicals can speed up the aging process by destroying healthy cells in the body, which makes antioxidant rich foods- such as durian – a valuable asset to just about everybody’s diet.

The high water content in durian can also protect your skin from damage. Water is important for purifying the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines by keeping you moisturized.

Immunity Booster

The immune system protects the body like a bodyguard (no pun intended), from harmful influences from the environment, making it essential for survival. Durian is a great aid to the immune system because of its high vitamin C content. Merely one serving of this South Asian fruit supplies you with more than half of your recommended dietary intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for fighting diseases such as the common cold, stimulating wound healing, and improving blood flow.

Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure

Not only is this fruit high in vitamins, its also packed with electrolytes- such as potassium! Potassium is an essential electrolyte important for regulating blood pressure, sodium levels, and a sound heart beat. A healthy heart ensures a healthy cardiovascular system- which is essential for longevity and optimal wellness.

Carbohydrate Metabolizer

Durian can help stabilize metabolism with it’s Thiamine content. Thiamine, is an essential vitamin that belongs to the vitamin B complex and is involved in maintaining metabolism, nervous system health, and cardiovascular health. Maintaining a healthy carbohydrate metabolism can promote a healthy body mass index (BMI), as well as decrease your likelihood of developing diabetes.

Encourages Healthy Fertility

The majority of women who struggle with fertility typically have irregular levels of estrogen and studies reveal that durian contains a high level of estrogen- making it a natural aid to estrogen deficiency. Durian also promotes a healthy body weight, which has also been proven to improve fertility.

Keeps You Regular

The high carbohydrate content in durian is bound to come with a considerable amount of fiber! With a striking 9 grams of dietary fiber per serving, this well-rounded fruit will most certainly keep things moving. Dietary fiber is essential to our diets because it adds bulk to our stools, while also softening them. This makes durian a fantastic snack option for anyone suffering from chronic constipation or wanting digestive support.

Alleviate Anemia

Anemia is a common medical condition that globally affects 1.62 billion people. This medical condition is marked by the deficiency of red blood cells- which consequently causes fatigue and malaise. One of the common causes of anemia is a folic acid deficiency. Folate- or folic acid, is vital to the production of red blood cells. Durian can alleviate this deficiency due to its high folate content.

Enhances Energy

With roughly 66 grams of carbs per serving, durian can be a great aid to athletes, work out junkies, or anyone looking for an extra jolt of energy. While this high carb content may come off as alarming- it shouldn’t be. Durian consists of complex carbs, which are broken down and digested throughout the day- unlike simple sugars. Because of this, durian has a low glycemic index (44-54), making it a diabetic friendly energy booster.

Regulates Sleep Cycle

Durian contains a natural sleep-activating amino acid- tryptophan. Tryptophan- also known as nature’s sleeping pill, is important to inducing sleep because it metabolizes sleep hormones, such as serotonin and melatonin. Studies show that increasing tryptophan intake can decrease sleep onset latency- the length of time it takes to fall asleep. This makes durian a naturopathic cure for mild insomnia or sleeplessness.