Durian Aids Digestion?
Durian is the well-known smelliest fruit yet it has a lot of benefits that we don’t know. The benefit we are going to share today is, durian actually aids digestion.
There are many different types of fiber, but there are two main groups, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber (also known as fermentable fiber) is found in grains, fruits, beans and pulses and root vegetables. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel in the gut. It helps to keep stools soft, making them easier to pass, which may help prevent or treat constipation. Insoluble fiber (also known as partially fermentable fiber) is found in cereal foods, whole meal bread and pasta, vegetables and nuts (British Nutrition Foundation, 2016).
Dietary fibers are vital to the regular function of numerous systems in our human body, most particularly the digestive system. Fibers cause bowel movement to increase in bulk, which makes it easier for them to move through the intestinal tract.
Durian possesses a large amount of dietary fiber. Dietary Fiber stimulates peristaltic motion and increased secretion of gastric juices, which eases digestion, prevents conditions like constipation, and protects the body from more serious conditions like colorectal cancer. One cup of durian contains 9 grams of dietary fiber (DoveMed, 2014).
By reducing conditions like constipation and blockage in the intestines, conditions like bloating, excess flatulence, heartburn, cramps, and indigestion can be reduced, as well as serious conditions like colorectal cancer. Much of the fiber in durian is insoluble fiber, which also lowers the frequency of diarrhea for people with loose stool.
Fiber also helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood by scraping LDL cholesterol out of the body and quickly removing it before it can do any damage to the cardiovascular system in the form of plaque buildup (Organic Facts, 2017).
Apart from fiber, durians also contain high amount of Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B3 which helps to improve appetite and regulates healthy digestion. Durian is filled with thiamin, a Vitamin B which encourages a normal appetite and help produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach for proper digestion of food (Hunter III, 2014).
Research found out that durian also improves metabolism that in turn leads to better absorption of nutrients in the body.
People who suffer from chronic constipation or digestive problem might consider adding durians in their diet list.