Can Durian kill you when you drink alcohol?

[george]

 

Durian, the notorious “king of fruits,” is a culinary adventure synonymous with Thailand. Its spiky exterior hides a creamy, custard-like flesh with a flavor that’s been described as anything from sweet caramel to pungent onion. Durian has a devoted following throughout Thailand, where it’s enjoyed in everything from ice cream to savory curries.

 

But what happens when this tropical king encounters the fermented grape’s spirited companion – alcohol?

 

Lethal combination?

 

Rumors of a lethal combination have swirled for years, suggesting that mixing durian and alcohol could be a recipe for disaster. In Thailand, where durian is practically a national treasure, these rumors are taken quite seriously. While the scientific evidence doesn’t point to a fatal outcome, there’s no denying that this pairing can be a wild ride for your body.

So, what’s the fuss about? Durian contains sulfur compounds that can meddle with your liver’s ability to break down alcohol. This interference can lead to a buildup of acetaldehyde, a nasty byproduct of alcohol metabolism responsible for those dreaded hangover symptoms. Imagine waking up with a pounding headache, nausea, and a face as red as a ripe durian – not exactly a royal experience.

 

But the risks don’t stop there. Durian’s rich, fatty flesh can slow down digestion, especially when combined with alcohol. Bloating, indigestion, and heartburn might crash your durian party. And if you’re already prone to high blood pressure, this dynamic duo could send your readings soaring.

 

Possible danger to combine durian and alcohol

 

While a 2009 study hinted at the potential for durian to inhibit the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, it’s important to remember that research is ongoing. Individual reactions vary wildly, and some folks might tolerate this daring combination better than others.

 

However, it’s always wise to prioritize your well-being, especially when exploring the culinary delights of Thailand. If you’re sensitive to alcohol or have underlying health conditions, it’s best to steer clear of this culinary experiment. And even if you’re a durian daredevil, moderation is key. Listen to your body, and if you experience any discomfort, don’t hesitate to put the brakes on this exotic pairing.

 

Ultimately, the decision to combine durian and alcohol is yours. But remember, even kings have their limits.

Savoring these treats separately might be the wiser choice for a truly enjoyable (and safe) culinary adventure in the Land of Smiles.

 

-- The Thaiger 2024-05-8

[scottiejohn]

https://uncoverasia.com/durian-and-alcohol/

[george]

 

[lordgrinz]

I have no urge to eat a fruit that smells like rotting trash, so I guess I am safe to drink like a fish 

[Bday Prang]

Can't imagine anybody wanting to wash a plate full of Durian down with  a  a bottle of Sangsom or a gallon of Chang .  Those that do deserve all they get,  how could anybody possibly expect that to end well?  Its the sort of stunt I'd expect to see on an episode of "Jackass"

Call me a traditionalist but I'll stick to Salted Peanuts and Pork Scratchings when on the lash and something hot and spicy afterwards,

As for Durian at any other time , personally I can take it or leave it, I certainly cannot see what all the fuss is about and there's plenty of other fruits I'd rather eat

[Bday Prang]

Duplicated  but whilst i'm here,,,, I don't  equate the smell exactly  with "rotting trash" there is an element of that ,  but it puts me more in mind me of the smell released when removing a manhole cover from a live public sewer, especially one of the larger ones.  

Edited May 18 by Bday Prang

[daveAustin]

Can Durian kill you when you drink alcohol?
 

Yes, when mixed with high speeds. 

[Keeps]

Can Durian kill you when you drink alcohol?

 

I suppose, if drunk and you got into an argument and someone twatted you around the head with one, then the answer would be a resounding Yes.

[still kicking]

You don't have to drink alcohol just the smell can kill you. 

[GrungthepGringo]

Alcohol will kill you even without the durian. The durian is a red herring. Here is a good solution: Quit drinking alcohol completely, switch to cannabis and eat twice as much durian. 

[save the frogs]

not sure about the alcohol thing, but apparently durian is high in tryptophan.

 

try eating before bed. might help you sleep. 

 

 

[dinsdale]

10 hours ago, george said:

But what happens when this tropical king encounters the fermented grape’s spirited companion – alcohol?

Well the magnifiant AI is at it again. Maybe beer's ok then. Apart from this nonsense I've always been told don't drink (alcohol of any variety) and eat durian. This I have ignored of course but I do not dismiss this advice. Durian without alcohol heats my gut a bit but with a beer or three this increases. This is because the liver "gets hot" as a Thai friend (science teacher) told me. He also said that to cool the liver also eat mangosteen, the queen of fruits. Monthong durian is definitely my favourite fruit here with okrong mangoes being a close second. Okrong means cleavage and you can see this on the fruit. Pale flesh and very juicy. I'll bet that evey poster on here that says durian is disgusting has never eaten it. This was my opinion at first but once I tried it I was hooked. The smell became sweet and the taste is incredible. Absolutely love it.

Edited May 19 by dinsdale

[2baht]

Just being downwind of a durian near kills me!

[BKKKevin]

Mixing durian and beer probably makes for lethal farts... 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

Just being downwind of a durian near kills me!

As I posted above this was my attitude towards durian. Once someone convinced me to eat some my attitude changed completely. Of course having never eaten any I didn't know what it tastes like and my opinion, as is yours, was shaped only by the smell, by perception. What happened when I tried it was something amazing. I found it delicious and the smell instantly went from bad to fragrant and I was hooked. This fruit is addictive and I I'm saying this in a medical way. I'm sure there's a dopamine response. Like many foods, people's negative opinions are often based on perception rather than experience. Red ant egg salad is another example for me. At first my perception of eating ant's eggs was not a good one until I ate some. It's now by far my favourite spicy salad here in Thailand. I no longer form opinions about food without trying it. You may never know if you're missing out on something delicious just because you think it isn't. 

Edited May 19 by dinsdale

[sumaterani]

My body can't hold anymore experiment like this but I would take them both separately on occasion 

[John Drake]

5 hours ago, dinsdale said:

What happened when I tried it was something amazing. I found it delicious and the smell instantly went from bad to fragrant and I was hooked.

 

Same. I now enjoy the smell of durian. And getting a perfect durian--is always an enjoyable hunt. Because some durians are better than others. Don't want one too hard. Don't want one overly slimy (although somewhat slimy is okay). Want one puffy and light, like biting into a pastry. As for the alcohol. I can't see the taste of wine or beer going much with durian.

[dinsdale]

5 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Same. I now enjoy the smell of durian. And getting a perfect durian--is always an enjoyable hunt. Because some durians are better than others. Don't want one too hard. Don't want one overly slimy (although somewhat slimy is okay). Want one puffy and light, like biting into a pastry. As for the alcohol. I can't see the taste of wine or beer going much with durian.

The wine bit is just stupid AI and absolutely no editing checks before uploading the article, but having some beer or whiskey (yep! Irish spelling whiskey with an e) in your guts already or eating then drinking not too long after is the same as drinking and eating at the same time. All has time to mix in your guts. I'll have a couple of beers and not a whole lot of durian (difficult) and I'm ok. If I've got some mangosteens I'll finish off with one or two of those and my tummy doesn't get too hot. Too much beer and too much durian I can really feel the heat in my guts.

[Wobblybob]

Don't risk it....stop eating durian. 🍻🍺

[Jim Jum]

18 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

https://uncoverasia.com/durian-and-alcohol/

The author of this article does not understand much about chemistry ("..It plays a role in converting bad enzymes from alcohol into harmless fatty acids and carbon dioxide.."

 

..

 

Based to the source used by the author of the article in question,

(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257164028_The_influence_of_durian_Durio_zibethinus_Murray_cv_Monthong_on_conditioned_taste_aversion_to_ethanol),

it seems possible durian really might have a negative (dangerous?, lethal?) effect when consumed with alcohol. But same applies to cabbage. Still it can be assumed the same applies to some other fruits and vegetables.

 

With cabbage the peak level of alcohol and acetaldehyde overlapped, so it might be more difficult for the alcohol consumer to notice the negative effect when consuming cabbage. That might be the/one reason why durian is the notorious one.

[GreasyFingers]

15 hours ago, GrungthepGringo said:

Alcohol will kill you even without the durian. The durian is a red herring. Here is a good solution: Quit drinking alcohol completely, switch to cannabis and eat twice as much durian. 

Alcohol is cheaper than both.

[PoorSucker]

Damnit, I'm going to make Durian wine, try stopping me.

[brewsterbudgen]

My 9-year-old has developed a taste for durian - is it healthy for kids?  I've told him not to drink beer with it though.

Edited May 19 by brewsterbudgen

[jts-khorat]

7 hours ago, dinsdale said:

As I posted above this was my attitude towards durian. Once someone convinced me to eat some my attitude changed completely. Of course having never eaten any I didn't know what it tastes like and my opinion, as is yours, was shaped only by the smell, by perception. What happened when I tried it was something amazing. I found it delicious and the smell instantly went from bad to fragrant and I was hooked.

 

What absolutely every Thai, but not many foreigners, know: not every durian is created equal by far.

 

There are some very high-priced cultivers, which taste absolutely fragrant and delishious. And there is the common garden variety sold for little money on the street side which tastes, hmmm, you get what you pay for. Also taste differs between ripe and unripe or overripe fruit, so there also is a right time for it -- never, ever buy the fruits already cut out under plastic as sold in the supermarket, it regularly is mushy nasty-tasting trash.

 

So if wanting to try this fruit, get a knowledgeable Thai to buy the right kind at the right ripeness for you.

 

With regard to the alcohol: durian is one of quite a number of fruit which will interfere with your liver enzymes; another is grapefruit. They do not only make alcohol more toxic, but many medicines that are removed over the liver can also be affected. I would not think it will be deadly, but you might get a much stronger overhang as you are used to.

[mikem20]

I was warned about eating durian and drinking beer together with a story about a famous and alcoholic Thai boxer who died from drinking a lot of whisky while eating a lot of durian. This was almost 25 years ago. 

[Robert Paulson]

We need a youtuber to tackle this. What I wanna see is durian, vodka and… do a paqui one chip challenge at the same time. He could use the chip to scoop up the durian. 

[JonnyF]

Excessive alcohol can kill you no matter what you are eating.

[GrungthepGringo]

14 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Alcohol is cheaper than both.

100 Baht for a liter of beer - gone in 1 hour

100 Baht for 3 grams of weed - lasts a week

[Gandtee]

Something smells about this article. Old wives tale or fact? How often while having one beer or a g+t have I heard my wife say "You're drinking. I was just going to give you some durian." I would think that if you are consuming a bucket of beer then it would be unwise to eat durian, my favourite fruit. Ripe that is. Burp! Pardon me.😋

[Bday Prang]

On 5/19/2024 at 12:19 AM, still kicking said:

You don't have to drink alcohol just the smell can kill you. 

The smell of alcohol can kill ????