The durian is a notoriously smelly fruit, as well as a reported superfood with numerous health benefits, but might it also have the ability to turn men into good sex-havers? That's the question the Malaysian government is apparently setting out to answer. Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek told Parliament on Thursday that "a friend" told him about studies showing durians "have aphrodisiac value and are said to be good for men," the Straits Times reports. He said he would be asking for further research into the durian as an aphrodisiac. The Los Angeles Times explains that the durian is a spike-covered and "notoriously fragrant" fruit that is described as smelling like "rotting meat or hot garbage." Its smell is so foul that it's actually illegal to carry it on public transportation in some parts of Asia.
While answering questions in front of Malaysia's Parliament on Thursday, Ahmad Shabery cited studies from Thailand, China, and elsewhere that found durian is high in antioxidants, reduces cholesterol, has antibiotic properties, can lower high blood pressure, and has anti-aging properties. "According to these experts, it is really true that the durian is the key to our happiness," he said. As for its supposed romantic properties, the Daily Meal included the durian on a list of bizarre aphrodisiacs after an Indian scientist claimed mice who ate the fruit showed an increased libido and sperm count. A world of stinky-fruit-loving lovers awaits further confirmation out of Malaysia. (And, for no particular reason, here's a video of 100 people trying durian.)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
