This fruit comes from the Malayan peninsula and is very popular in Southeast Asia, but is also famous in Latin America, the Caribbean and southern United States. When is ripe, has yellowish color with sweet and sour taste at the same time. Its taste is sort of combination of apple, pear, grape and citrus taste and some people love this kind of flavor combinations.
Of course, we are talking of carambola fruit, also known as star fruit because of its shape in cross-section.
This is a low calorie fruit, contains only 31 calories in 100g. It is very rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and B, lutein, folate, niacin, riboflavin and minerals such as calcium, manganese, potassium, zinc and iron.
Health Benefits of Star Fruits
Improves Your Sight
Star fruits contain vitamin A, which contributes to perfect health of your eyes.
Fights Insomnia
This fruit has high amounts of magnesium, which is essential for peaceful and healthy sleep. You should consume more carambola if you have trouble sleeping or suffering from insomnia.
Good For the Skin
Because rich in flavonoids, star fruits can help you to get a healthier skin and prevents diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Star fruits can also be very beneficial if you have acne problems, because of high amounts of zinc.
Lowers Cholesterol
Star fruits, as any other fruit, is rich in fiber and you all know how beneficial they are for your heart’s health. Fibers can help lower the bad cholesterol, which is the main cause for clogged arteries, and at the same time increases the good cholesterol, HDL.
Beneficial For Fetus Development
Because star fruits contain folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, they can be very beneficial for pregnant women and their babies. This substance is essential during the first months of gestation, because it is very important for the proper development of the neural tube and baby’s brain. Also, eating this fruit after delivery is very beneficial because it aids in the formation of breast milk.
Controls Diabetes
Because this fruit has low sugar content, diabetics can eat it without causing sugar spikes. But not only that. Fibers containing this fruit, will prevent fast glucose absorption from the gut, and thus blood sugar level will maintain constant during the day.
Regulates Hypertension
Star fruits have low amount of sodium, which is the main enemy of the blood pressure. This fruit not only has low sodium content, but contains a lot of potassium, and this mineral has one of the main roles in blood pressure regulation.
Improves Digestion
Because of high fiber amounts, star fruits can be an excellent choice for those who have digestive problems. The fibers clear the intestines and bound large amounts of water, thereby preventing constipation. Eating this fruit after heavy meals, can help in better digestion.
Strengthens the Immune System
This fruit contains large amounts of vitamin C which contributes to super immune system, protecting us from viral diseases such as influenza, common colds, etc.
Antimicrobial
Studies have shown that carambola can successfully fight infections caused by E.coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus Aureus, Salmonellaand Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
CAUTION
Because star fruits contains high amounts of oxalic acid andcaramboxin, it can be harmful for people suffering from kidney diseases, kidney failure or those on kidney dialysis. If consumed, in these patients can cause nausea, vomiting or confusion.
Also, be cautious if you are taking any medications, especiallystatins, opiates or benzodiazepines. This fruit, like grapefruit contains substances which can interfere with these drugs.