Back to Polyols food checker
durian

durian

Fruit

Is durian high in polyols?

Polyols status
Safe

Find out whether durian is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.

Sensitivity notes

Why polyols food checker matters

Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.

  • Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
  • Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
  • Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content

Triggers

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsLow
FODMAPsSafe
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
GlutenSafe
LactoseSafe
Dairy ProteinsSafe
NightshadesSafe
SalicylatesLow
OxalatesLow
NickelLow
SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe
TyramineSafe
CaffeineSafe
LectinSafe
Low FermentationSafe

Diets

GlutenFit
InflammationFit
VeganFit
VegetarianFit
Paleo AIPFit
MediterraneanAvoid
DASH DietAvoid
EoE CompatibleAvoid
FODMAPsFit
Low FermentationFit
Priority ingredient notes

Serving size, prep, and portion notes for durian

On the trigger columns durian is remarkably quiet. It grades A for total FODMAPs and for every FODMAP subgroup (fructans, GOS, excess fructose, polyols), A for histamine content, tyramine, gluten, lactose, dairy protein, free glutamates, sulfites, nitrites and nightshades, with only mild B marks for histamine liberation, salicylates, oxalates and nickel. So the honest answer to "is durian high in histamine" or "is durian low FODMAP" is no and yes. What people actually need to know about durian is an interaction, not a trigger. The old Southeast Asian rule against drinking alcohol with durian turns out to have a pharmacological basis: laboratory work has shown that durian extract inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde during alcohol metabolism, and the fruit is unusually rich in the sulfur compounds implicated in that inhibition. Block ALDH and acetaldehyde accumulates, which is exactly the mechanism behind the flushing reaction in people carrying an ALDH2 variant and behind the disulfiram reaction used to deter drinking. That is in vitro and animal evidence rather than a human trial, so read it as a well grounded reason to keep the two apart rather than a documented poisoning. The second real caution is potassium: durian is potassium dense, which matters on a potassium restricted diet.

Watch for

Do not drink alcohol with durian. Durian extract inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase in laboratory testing, and ALDH is the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde, the toxic intermediate of alcohol metabolism. Acetaldehyde build up is what produces flushing, nausea, racing heart and headache, so this is a real mechanism rather than a superstition / Potassium dense. If you have chronic kidney disease or have been told to restrict potassium, durian is a fruit to count rather than eat freely, and it is worth raising with your renal dietitian by name / Very high in sugar and fat for a fruit, so a large portion sits heavily even though every FODMAP subgroup grades A. If durian bloats you, the density of the serving is a far likelier explanation than a fermentable carbohydrate load / Ripeness matters for amines. Durian grades A for histamine and only B as a liberator, but flesh that has been left to go soft, boozy and fermented is a different food from fresh durian, and that is where biogenic amines build up in any fruit

Learn More

Polyols Guide

Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.

Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.

Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.

These foods are generally well-tolerated for Polyols sensitivity:

View all safe options

These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:

These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:

  • 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
  • 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
  • 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
  • 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
  • 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers

Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.

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FAQ

Is durian high in Polyols?

Polyols: low signal for most people.

Can I still eat durian if I'm sensitive to Polyols?

Usually fine in normal portions.

What else should I check?

Check Histamine Liberators, Salicylates, and Oxalates next for a fuller picture.