Drinking Beer Post-Durian: Safe Or Not?

The combination of durian and alcohol has long been considered a deadly mix in Asian folklore. While this may be an urban myth, there is some truth to it. Durian contains high levels of sulphur, which can affect the body's ability to process alcohol by inhibiting the release of the enzyme Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, which is responsible for breaking down toxic substances in alcohol. As a result, consuming durian with alcohol can lead to heightened symptoms of intoxication, such as severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and may even be fatal under certain circumstances. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid mixing durian and alcohol to prevent these unwanted side effects.

Durian's sulphur content and alcohol's effects on the body

Durian is a tropical fruit known for its large size, strong odour, and thorn-covered rind. Native to Southeast Asia, it is considered a delicacy in many regions and is commonly consumed alongside alcoholic beverages. However, there are concerns about the potential health risks associated with mixing durian and alcohol.

Durian has a high sulphur content, particularly in the form of diethyl sulfide, a sulphur-based compound. Sulphur is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including protein synthesis, enzyme function, and the maintenance of hair, skin, and nails. However, excessive sulphur intake can have negative effects on the body.

When alcohol is consumed, it undergoes a metabolic process in the liver. The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. Another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase, helps metabolise acetaldehyde into less harmful substances like carbon dioxide and fatty acids. However, when durian is consumed alongside alcohol, the metabolic activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase is reduced by up to 70%. This impairment in the breakdown of acetaldehyde can lead to heightened symptoms of intoxication, including severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, facial flushing, and low blood pressure.

Alcohol has a wide range of effects on the body, both in the short and long term. Short-term effects include lowered inhibitions, relaxation, drowsiness, euphoria, slowed speech, changes in perception, loss of coordination, and memory gaps. Long-term effects can be more severe and include persistent changes in mood, insomnia, a weakened immune system, changes in libido and sexual function, weight changes, memory and concentration problems, and increased tension in relationships.

Additionally, alcohol can have detrimental effects on specific organ systems. It can cause inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), interfere with the liver's ability to break down toxins, increase the risk of several types of cancer, and negatively impact the central nervous system, leading to numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

In summary, while durian itself has nutritional benefits, its high sulphur content can interfere with the body's ability to metabolise alcohol effectively. This interference can lead to more pronounced symptoms of intoxication and potential health risks. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid consuming durian and alcohol together to prevent unwanted side effects.

The urban myth that mixing beer and durian is fatal

Mixing beer and durian is believed to be a deadly combination. This is an urban myth that is largely believed to be false. However, there are some truths to the side effects of this combination, which may have severe consequences for certain individuals.

Durian is a tropical fruit found in Southeast Asia, known for its spiky outer covering and pungent smell. It has a creamy texture and is considered a delicacy by many. The fruit contains high levels of sulphur compounds, which are believed to be the reason for the adverse reaction when mixed with alcohol. According to experts, these sulphur compounds can affect the body's ability to process alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, the liver releases an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. Another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase, is then released to convert acetaldehyde into less harmful substances. However, when durian is consumed with alcohol, the metabolic activity of this second enzyme is reduced by up to 70%. This results in the toxic acetaldehyde entering the bloodstream and travelling to different parts of the body.

The combination of durian and alcohol can lead to heightened symptoms of drunkenness, including severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting, as well as heart palpitations, facial flushing, and low blood pressure. While it may not directly cause death, it can have severe side effects, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, or hypertension. There have been documented cases of people dying shortly after consuming this combination, but further research revealed that these individuals had underlying health issues.

While the myth may be exaggerated, it is generally recommended to avoid mixing beer and durian to prevent any unwanted side effects. For those with pre-existing health conditions, it is especially important to refrain from this combination to ensure their safety.

The effects of drinking beer after eating durian

Durian is a tropical fruit found in southeast Asia. It is known for its spiky outer covering and pungent smell, often likened to rotten eggs. While durian is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world, there are some beliefs and concerns surrounding the consumption of durian and alcohol together.

According to Asian folklore, the combination of durian and alcohol is believed to be deadly. While this may be an exaggeration, there is some scientific basis to these claims. Durian contains high levels of sulphur compounds, including diethyl sulfide, which can affect the body's ability to process alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, the liver releases an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts it to acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. Another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase, is then released to break down acetaldehyde into less harmful substances. However, studies have shown that when durian is consumed with alcohol, the metabolic activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase is reduced by up to 70%. This impairment in the breakdown of alcohol can lead to heightened symptoms of intoxication, including severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, facial flushing, and low blood pressure.

Additionally, durian is considered a heaty food in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is believed to have strong warming properties, and overindulgence can induce symptoms such as cough, sore throat, constipation, and fever. Alcohol also shares similar warming properties, and when combined with durian, can further increase the body's internal heat. This aggressive warming of the body's systems can be harmful.

While the combination of durian and alcohol may not be fatal for most people, it is essential to consider individual sensitivities and pre-existing health conditions. Some individuals may have an inherited enzyme deficiency that reduces their ability to break down alcohol, and durian could potentially exacerbate this issue. Furthermore, there have been documented cases of people with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, and hypertension dying shortly after consuming durian and alcohol together.

Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid consuming durian and alcohol together to prevent any unwanted side effects. If you choose to consume them together, moderation is key.

The impact on people with diabetes

Durian is a fruit that has a reputation for being unhealthy, but it does offer some nutritional benefits. For people with diabetes, however, it is important to be aware of the impact this fruit can have on blood sugar levels. Durian is high in carbohydrates—per 100g, it has double the amount of carbohydrates compared to apples and 3-4 times more than strawberries. Three durian seeds can contain between 20 and 30 grams of carbohydrates, which is equivalent to the sugar content in half a can of regular Coke. Therefore, consuming durian can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which is a concern for people with diabetes. As such, it is recommended that people with diabetes limit their intake of durian to 1-2 seeds as a serve of fruit and be mindful of the amount of carbohydrates consumed at each meal.

In addition to its high carbohydrate content, durian also contains high levels of sulphuric compounds. When combined with alcohol, these compounds can affect the body's ability to process alcohol, potentially leading to increased side effects such as facial flushing, nausea, and migraines. While this combination is not necessarily fatal, as some believe, it can be dangerous for people with diabetes as alcohol can also cause blood sugar spikes. Therefore, it is generally recommended that people with diabetes avoid consuming durian and alcohol together to prevent unwanted side effects.

Durian also has some health benefits that may be relevant to people with diabetes. For example, durian contains a lot of good fat, which is unsaturated fat that can help reduce bad cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is also a good source of potassium, which can help control and stabilize blood pressure. Additionally, durian contains tryptophan, which can improve mood and sleep quality, and provides antioxidants and vitamins that support the immune system.

In conclusion, while durian does offer some nutritional benefits, people with diabetes need to be mindful of its high carbohydrate and sugar content, which can cause blood sugar spikes. It is important for people with diabetes to consume durian in moderation and be aware of the potential risks of combining it with alcohol. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a dietitian can help people with diabetes make informed decisions about including durian in their diet while managing their blood sugar levels effectively.

The effect on people with an inherited enzyme deficiency

While there is no scientific evidence that durian and alcohol are a deadly combination, it is not recommended to mix the two, especially for people with an inherited enzyme deficiency.

Durian contains high amounts of the sulfur-based compound diethyl sulfide, which can inhibit the effect of the enzyme Aldehyde dehydrogenase by up to 70%. This enzyme is responsible for converting the toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism, acetaldehyde, into less harmful substances like fatty acids and carbon dioxide. When this enzyme is impaired, the breakdown of alcohol is delayed, leading to heightened symptoms of intoxication, including severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, facial flushing, and low blood pressure.

For individuals with an inherited enzyme deficiency, the risks associated with mixing durian and alcohol may be even higher. Aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (ALDD) is a genetic condition that affects the body's ability to break down acetaldehyde. People with ALDD may experience more severe symptoms of intoxication, even when consuming small amounts of alcohol. Mixing durian and alcohol could potentially exacerbate these effects, leading to dangerous levels of intoxication.

Additionally, durian and alcohol are both considered to have "warming" properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Aggressive warming of the body's systems can be harmful, and the combination of durian and alcohol may further increase the risk of adverse effects, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions.

Therefore, it is strongly advised that individuals with an inherited enzyme deficiency avoid mixing durian and alcohol. The potential risks far outweigh any perceived benefits, and consuming these two substances together could have dangerous consequences. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the specific risks and make informed decisions regarding your health.

Frequently asked questions