Heads Up! Why the Sky Fruit Might Be Skipping Your Liver
In 2023 & 2024, a quiet but serious story unfolded in Singapore: seven folks, all between 40‑70 years old, found themselves in an unexpected bout with liver trouble after munching on what’s locally nicknamed sky fruit (the mahogany seeds). Health Sciences Authority (HSA) stepped in with the news, warning readers that this green‑goldy snack might not be as harmless as it looks.
What the HSA Report Says
HSA picked up the signal from a series of patient reports spanning the last three years. The patients experienced anything from slightly off liver function tests to outright liver failure after swallowing the seeds raw or in capsule form.
Not only the liver? One of them scraped on the kidneys, and another felt a twinge of “polyarthralgia” (naming the collective ache in joints). Thankfully, once the troublemakers stopped the seeds, most recovered or are now on the path to recovery.
Why People Are Eating Sky Fruit
Traditionally, people in South‑East Asia’ve turned to this fruit to try and tame blood sugar spikes or high blood pressure. But the authorities caveat: there are no solid human studies proving it’s safe or actually effective. Yet some folks still believed in the “Natural Miracle Healer” promise, buying it from local blogs or foreign merchants.
How the Seeds Got Into Their Diets
- Five folks ate raw seeds: 10 a month up to 18 a day, sourcing them from assorted Singaporean and Malaysian sellers.
- One patient took capsules occasionally.
- Another took two capsules twice a day.
Underlying Conditions & Overlapping Meds
Most of the seven had pre‑existing medical conditions: diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and fatty liver. They were also on other meds, which meant a complex chemical cocktail in their bloodstream.
When the Things Went Bad
- Six of the cases showed liver injury 30‑45 days after they started eating the seeds.
- The remaining patient’s liver symptoms erupted after six months.
Actionable Advice from HSA
The Authority has urged the public to take a cautious stance if you’re tempted to add these green seeds to your health regimen:
- Be aware that liver injury can happen, whether you’re chewing raw or popping capsules.
- If you’re feeling unwell or notice any of these red flags while taking sky fruit, get a doctor on speed dial pronto:
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the whites behind your eyes (jaundice)
- Before adding a new or “complementary” remedy to your routine—especially for long‑term conditions like diabetes or hypertension—consult your healthcare mate.
What HSA Will Keep Watching
They’ll monitor the situation closely and keep the public in the loop for any major developments. Until then, it’s best to keep the sky fruit on the sidelines.
— Original source: The Straits Times (permission required for full reproduction).
