Malaysian singer Dino suffers stroke after eating 7 durians in one day

The 50-year-old said he couldn’t resist indulging during durian season. "I love durians and can't resist them during the season," Singaporean news site 8days quoted Dino, a member of 1990s hip-hop group Nico G, as saying.

"The day before the stroke, I ate 7 durians. The next morning, tragedy struck while I was working. I suddenly felt numb on the entire right side of my body, and when I spoke to the doctor, I still had the smell of durians in my mouth."

"I’m not ruling out the possibility that my diet played a role in the stroke. I also eat plenty of sweet foods," he said.

Dino admitted that his long-standing smoking habit also played a role in the health scare, and he is now working to give it up.

Dino's medical tests revealed that his arteries were blocked, leading to two weeks of hospitalization. Despite being on high blood pressure medication and blood thinners, he lost the ability to use his right hand and leg.

Initially unable to move or speak clearly, Dino is now focusing on his recovery. "I've been exercising daily, and my condition has improved," he said. "Moving forward, I'll be more careful with my diet and stick to my prescribed medications, including anticoagulants to prevent cholesterol build-up."

Alongside his music career, Dino works as a salesperson at a shopping center but is now on medical leave to focus on recovering.

Although his employer gave him RM500 (US$117.9) to help with costs, he said the sum was far from enough, according to the Straits Times.