Thailand durians are an unusual looking fruit; about the size and shape of a cantaloupe, but covered in a multitude of pointy pyramid shaped spikes, with their points sticking out. You probably won’t find these fruits in very many marketplaces; they grow and are distributed in Southeast Asia. It is often said the best tasting and best sized fruits come from Thailand, where the fruit is very popular.

As if the strange looking rind isn’t enough to deter some folks from trying the Durian, the smell the Durian emits can be very offensive to some (although others enjoy the pungent somewhat “foul” odor). The growing season for Durians is in the summer; you’ll find them displayed in outside stands so as to keep the fresh air running through them.

Despite the deterrents, that unfortunately keep a number of people from trying the unusual fruit, many people make the effort to get past the smell, through the spiny covering and to the fruit inside, which reportedly is one of the best tasting of Thailand Superfoods.

But, aside from the sweet taste, lovers of the Durian benefit most from all the nutrition that’s literally packed inside. The list of nutrients includes more than 24 that are critically needed for good health. The little Durian, in spite of its drawbacks, packs a real punch with most of them. In fact with compared to other raw foods, few can come close to the power content of the Thai Durian.

Nutrient Content of the Thailand Durian (in mg)*

• Vitamin C 19.7
• Iron, Fe 0 .5
• Niacin 1.0
• Calcium 6 .0
• Magnesium 30.00
• Pantothenic Acid 0.23
• Vitamin A 45,000 Iu

*this information on durian comes from the us department of agriculture

The Durian fruit is also a great source of other vitamins and minerals which are important sources of healthful nutrition such as:

POTASSIUM

An average Durian offers about 436 mg of potassium, which is necessary for every function of the body. It is especially necessary for the development of energy inside the body cells and building healthy cell wall membranes. This is necessary for good nerve transmission, heart functions and muscle traction.

When there is a deficiency of potassium in the body, it is not unusual to experience symptoms such as tiredness and fatigue, weakness of the muscles, body cramps, bloating, constipation and abdominal pain.

Recent studies are being conducted to confirm indications that a potassium deficiency, due to the poor diets eaten, especially in the western world, leads to the development of a number of chronic diseases. An increased intake of potassium has come to be associated with a lower risk for stroke. This has been shown in a number of studies conducted on men and women of varying ages and ethnicities.

Another reason to consider the Durian fruit as addition to your diet is that it’s been shown that potassium intake is related to bone density, which is especially concerning to post-menopausal women. For men, the biggest plus may be the Durian’s potassium rich qualities that inhibit the production of kidney stones.

Also, the high potassium found in the Durian should be of interest to people who suffer from high blood pressure. Potassium has been found to be one of the most important factors in maintain low blood pressure. It’s been found that there is an increase of high blood pressure in patients who don’t get enough potassium in their diet.