A Stinky Benefit

By Maya L.

Fruit is piled on top of one another in an orderly fashion. Customers pass by, admiring the arrangement of such fruit, occasionally picking one or two up to smell for ripeness. A faint, foul smell develops. In the very back of the market is a spiky, large fruit that emits a horrid stink: durian.

The scientific name for “durian” is “Durio zibethinus,” and it is of the Bombacacea family (Siriphanich). Durians can weigh up to seven pounds, equivalent to the weight of a newborn baby (Ghosh). Native to Southeast Asian agriculture, durian is known as the “king of fruits” throughout Asia. According to Statista, around 10 million durian trees were harvested in Indonesia alone in 2021 (“Number…”). Even though the smell is unappealing, this fruit is commonly sold and consumed for many reasons. If durian smells, one might wonder why "the king of fruits" is beneficial to the human body.

The outer appearance of a durian is spiky, heavy, and thick; however, the main characteristic distinguishing a durian from other fruits is its foul, pungent smell. The smell of durian is so strong that some countries have banned this fruit from public transportation; in addition, some countries hardly import the fruit. “Morning breath, stinky gym socks, roadkill,” and other words have been used to describe the smell of durian (Grant). The reason for the smell is that the durian is packed with sulfur components. The smell of sulfur is also found in places with volcanic activity, such as Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan.

As unpleasant as durian smells, its contents are highly valued because of the many health benefits. Packed with loads of vitamins and minerals, durian decreases the risk of cancer, strengthens bones, lowers blood pressure, reduces cardiovascular disease, improves digestion, and boosts the immune system (Chian and Asohan). As stated previously, sulfur is one of the main components of durian fruit. WebMD, a medical review source, explains that the human “body needs sulfur to build and fix DNA” because it “protects cells from damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancers” and “assists your body to metabolize food and contributes to the health of your skin, tendons, and ligaments” (“Foods High in Sulfur”). Clearly, durian has numerous health benefits to the human body.

Albeit an acquired taste, durian is an exotic fruit that is well-known for its pungent odor caused by sulfur components. As foul as durian smells, its sulfur components provide multiple health benefits. It is a wonder how such a nasty-smelling fruit can benefit the body in so many ways.

References

Chian, Tan Mei and Shyamala Asohan. “Exploring the Nutritional Contents and Benefits of Durian (Durio zibethinus).” Institute of Byproduct Development. research.utm.my/ibd/project/exploring-the-nutritional-contents-and-benefits-of-durian-durio-zibethinus/#:~:text=Durian%20is%20widely%20celebrated%20for,and%20protect%20against%20cardiovascular%20diseases.

“Durian.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 20 Oct. 2023. www.britannica.com/plant/durian.

“Foods High in Sulfur.” WebMD. 15 Nov. 2022. www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-sulfur. 

Ghosh, Prianka. “8 Things You Need To Know About Durian Fruit: The World’s Smelliest Snack. Culture Trip. 7 May. 2020. theculturetrip.com/asia/singapore/articles/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-durian-the-worlds-smelliest-fruit. 

Grant, Amy. “What Is A Durian Fruit: Information On Durian Fruit Trees.” Gardening Know How. 28 Feb. 2023. www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/durian/durian-fruit-information.htm. 

“Number of harvested durian trees in Indonesia from 2016 to 2022.” Statista. 23 Jun. 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1280358/indonesia-number-of-harvested-durian-trees/. 

Siriphanich, Jingtair. “Durian (Durio zibethinus Merr.).” Science Direct. www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/durio#:~:text=Durian%20is%20believed%20to%20originate,crop%20in%20South%2DEast%20Asia.