Why Detroit Pistons' Jalen Duren eats a pound of grapes a day
The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of storming the Eastern Conference, hunting for their fourth NBA Championship and first since 2004.
Jalen Duren, who joined the side in October 2022, is helming the success, serving up an average of 17.9 points per game this season, along with 10.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
It’s not outlandish to say the 22-year-old’s efforts have positioned him to make his first All-Star team - and it seems like everyone wants a piece of the Pennsylvanian native.
Outside of the court, Duren has been waxing lyrical about the diet sacrifices he’s had to make as a top American athlete.
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In an interview with GQ, the hooper confessed that he had to give up sweets for his health; switching instead to fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, and pineapples.
However, it turns out that the NBA starting centre is just as keen on grapes as he is on artificial gummies like Sour Patch Kids, and boxes of Mike and Ike.
When asked if the rumours about him eating a whopping pound of grapes every day were true, Duren said: “I do eat a lot of grapes. One, because at our practice facility, our chefs do a great job.
“I don’t know where they get them from or how they pick them or whatever, but these are some of the ripest grapes. I’m telling you, they’re the best grapes I've ever had. I feel like a lot of people will tell you that.”
He continued: “That plays a lot into it, and that just kind of kept me off the sweets.
“Now, at this point, I’m not even thinking about candy. Grapes are definitely my go to. It’s easy. It’s convenient.”
Admitting he ‘doesn’t care’ whether the grapes come in red or green variety, Duran added: “It’s just kind of my snack, honestly. This is what I eat between meals.”
The basketball star added that, while he does love grazing on the fresh fruit, it isn’t the first thing he eats when he wakes up.
“I definitely fit them in a lot,” he mused.
Elizabeth Shaw, a nutrition expert and certified personal trainer, told EatWell that grapes are a ‘functional food’, meaning they could be considered as a form of medical nutrition therapy.
“In other words, grapes could be part of a food as medicine prescription to help those with hypertension,” she explained. “While more research is needed, it’s exciting to see food being at the forefront of preventive care.”
Other benefits of eating the snack-sized fruit include: improved skin health, sounder sleep, and better blood flow and bone health, as per Roxana Ehsani, a board-certified sports dietitian.
Even though grapes are safe enough to eat every day, they should be enjoyed alongside a ‘variety-filled diet’, says Shaw.
According to the new US dietary guidelines, you should consume two servings of fruit per day, and three portions of vegetables.
Frozen, dried, or canned vegetables or fruits with no/very limited added sugars can be good options, while 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice should be consumed in limited portions.
Ella Scott