“Oh yeah! It is durian season again!”It is durian season again in Singapore and thousands across the land are feasting on the King of Fruits, and variations of it in the form of puffs, pastries, and cakes. In the midst of all the festivity and merriment, some of you are plagued with insecurities about what drinks complement durian consumption, and what kills.Legend has it that drinking beer while eating durian can kill you. Before you jump into any conclusions, let’s look at how the body works to process the food and drinks you consume:

1. Carbohydrates are digested into sugars (carbohydrates are often referred to as sugars) which is utilized by your body or, if in excess, stored as fat.
2. Your liver is the site of carbohydrate breakdown, and is also responsible for the breaking down of alcohol.

 The King of Fruits is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and monounsaturated fats. Durians are also high in sugar, carbohydrates, and calories. An average-sized durian contains 885 calories—which is the equivalent of 4 bowls of rice! This means that one durian fruit contains more than 50% of the recommended daily intake of calorie intake.While there have been incidences of people dying “as a result of” consuming durian together with alcohol, these are isolated cases. In fact, there is no scientific evidence to show that durian and beer is a lethal combination. The most probable cause of the tragedy is that the liver was unable to process the overload of fats and sugars.Consuming the two may be a cause for discomfort due to bloating and/or indigestion. And, if consumed in excessive amounts, your liver will have to work double shift to metabolize both the fats and sugars of durian and alcohol.So our healthful advice to you would be to consume both durian and beer in moderation, if you wish to partake them at the same time!