What the evidence says. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive.
Nutrition per serving 1 medium (600 g)
Water390 g66%
Sugars72 g12%
Fibre22.8 g4%
Other carbs67.8 g11%
Protein8.8 g1%
Fat32 g5%
What's in one serving, by weight — average composition (USDA).One serving as % of the adult daily requirement (FDA Daily Values). The bold outer ring = 100% of a day's needs.
Durian (Durio zibethinus) is a fruit used for low glycemic index (~49) despite high sugar content, producing a smaller postprandial glucose rise than pineapple in a small human trial. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Preliminary. Direct human evidence for durian is thin and mostly indirect. The strongest clinical datum is a small Malaysian crossover trial (n=10) that classified durian as a low-glycemic-index food (GI approximately 49) despite its high sugar load, suggesting a gentler postprandial glucose response than pineapple. Most other claims (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, anticancer) rest on in-vitro assays of pulp, peel and seed extracts and on rodent feeding studies, not on whole-fruit human outcomes. Composition analyses confirm durian is genuinely nutrient-dense, supplying meaningful fiber, potassium, thiamin, vitamin C and carotenoids, but it is also unusually calorie- and fat-dense for a fruit (~147 kcal and ~5 g fat per 100 g). No randomized human trials show that habitual durian intake improves cardiovascular, metabolic or cancer endpoints. Overall the human evidence is best graded preliminary: durian is a nutritious whole fruit, but specific health benefits beyond its nutrient content remain unproven.
Purported Benefits
✓Low glycemic index (~49) despite high sugar content, producing a smaller postprandial glucose rise than pineapple in a small human trial
✓High dietary fiber supporting satiety and digestive health
✓Rich source of potassium, relevant to blood-pressure regulation
✓Notable antioxidant capacity from polyphenols and carotenoids (ABTS/DPPH/NO scavenging in vitro)
✓Anti-inflammatory activity of pulp/peel extracts (suppressed nitric-oxide production in macrophages in vitro)
✓Lipid-modulating signal in animal models (reduced total and LDL cholesterol in cholesterol-fed rats)
Dosing & Compounds
Typical Dose
Roughly 1-2 segments (~40-100 g pulp); a portion delivering 50 g carbohydrate is about 185 g pulp
Active Compounds
Polyphenols / flavonoids (caffeic acid, quercetin, catechins, gallic acid)Carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein)Volatile sulfur compounds (diethyl disulfide, ethanethiol, thioacetates) giving the signature aromaDietary fiberPotassium and magnesium (electrolyte minerals)B-vitamins, especially thiamin (B1) plus folate, B6, riboflavinVitamin C (ascorbic acid)Unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and palmitic acid predominant)Triterpenoids (e.g., lupeol/lupenone-type) and organosulfur antioxidants
Safety & Cautions
⚠
Energy- and fat-dense for a fruit (~147 kcal and 5 g fat per 100 g), so large portions add up quickly; portion control matters for weight and, given its sugar load, for people with diabetes despite the low GI. Laboratory work shows durian extract inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde), giving biological plausibility to the traditional warning against combining durian with alcohol, which could raise acetaldehyde and worsen flushing/hangover-type effects; avoid heavy durian intake with drinking. High potassium content warrants caution in advanced kidney disease or with potassium-sparing/RAAS medications. These cautions are based largely on composition and in-vitro/animal data rather than controlled human trials. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Durian with any medicine.
Durian is most often taken for Low glycemic index (~49) despite high sugar content, producing a smaller postprandial glucose rise than pineapple in a small human trial, High dietary fiber supporting satiety and digestive health, Rich source of potassium, relevant to blood-pressure regulation, Notable antioxidant capacity from polyphenols and carotenoids (ABTS/DPPH/NO scavenging in vitro). Pungent tropical fruit, rich in fiber and potassium
Does Durian work — what does the evidence say?
Preliminary evidence. Early or small human trials; promising but not yet conclusive. Direct human evidence for durian is thin and mostly indirect. The strongest clinical datum is a small Malaysian crossover trial (n=10) that classified durian as a low-glycemic-index food (GI approximately 49) despite its high sugar load, suggesting a gentler postprandial glucose response than pineapple. Most other claims (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, anticancer) rest on in-vitro assays of pulp, peel and seed extracts and on rodent feeding studies, not on whole-fruit human outcomes. Composition analyses confirm durian is genuinely nutrient-dense, supplying meaningful fiber, potassium, thiamin, vitamin C and carotenoids, but it is also unusually calorie- and fat-dense for a fruit (~147 kcal and ~5 g fat per 100 g). No randomized human trials show that habitual durian intake improves cardiovascular, metabolic or cancer endpoints. Overall the human evidence is best graded preliminary: durian is a nutritious whole fruit, but specific health benefits beyond its nutrient content remain unproven.
What is the typical dose of Durian?
Roughly 1-2 segments (~40-100 g pulp); a portion delivering 50 g carbohydrate is about 185 g pulp
Is Durian safe? Any cautions or side effects?
Energy- and fat-dense for a fruit (~147 kcal and 5 g fat per 100 g), so large portions add up quickly; portion control matters for weight and, given its sugar load, for people with diabetes despite the low GI. Laboratory work shows durian extract inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde), giving biological plausibility to the traditional warning against combining durian with alcohol, which could raise acetaldehyde and worsen flushing/hangover-type effects; avoid heavy durian intake with drinking. High potassium content warrants caution in advanced kidney disease or with potassium-sparing/RAAS medications. These cautions are based largely on composition and in-vitro/animal data rather than controlled human trials.
How many studies support Durian?
NutriDex cites 11 sources for Durian, graded "Preliminary".
Cite this page
APA
Peh, D. (2026). Durian (Durio zibethinus): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 16 Sept 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/durian
BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_durian,
author = {Peh, Daryl},
title = {Durian (Durio zibethinus): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
url = {https://nutridex.info/s/durian},
note = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-09-16}
}
For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.