Star Fruit: Benefits, Risks, and How to Eat It

If you’re bored of eating apples, oranges, and other fruits that are all too common in the United States, it might be time for you to take a closer look at star fruit. This exotic-looking fruit is becoming increasingly popular for its unique taste and health benefits.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about starfruit, such as potential health risks, how to eat the fruit and its benefits.

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What is Star Fruit?

Starfruit, also known as carambola, is an intensely sweet-and-sour fruit that's shaped like a five-pointed star.

Its edible skin gives it a nice crunch and tart flavor, which makes it a great addition to any meal. The fruit comes in two main types: a smaller variety that's sour and a larger one that has sweeter flesh.

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Star Fruit Nutrition Facts

Star fruit is a tropical fruit that comes from the Carica papaya tree. One medium-sized star fruit (91 grams) contains these ingredients:

• 28 calories
• 6.1 grams of carbohydrates
• 1 gram of protein and 2.5 grams of fiber.

It's also rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which helps prevent cellular damage.

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Health Benefits of Star Fruit

Reduces inflammation and improves heart health. (Image via Unsplash/Lucas George)

Starfruit is delicious and nutritious at the same time. It's sweet, tangy, and refreshingly healthy. Here are a few reasons why you should add more starfruit to your diet:

1) Reduces Inflammation

Starfruit contains lots of vitamin C, which helps cleanse the body of toxins and is also an anti-inflammatory.

Starfruit helps with skin conditions like dermatitis, flu and common colds. Vitamin C is vital to making collagen — the substance that gives our bones, muscles and cartilage their strength. It also contains an essential nutrient — iron. Eating star fruit can help you maintain optimal levels of vitamin C in the body.

2) Boosts Heart Health

Starfruit is a good source of sodium and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

These minerals ensure that the heartbeat stays regular and risk of strokes or heart attacks remains low. Starfruit is also a good source of calcium, which can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, like strokes and cardiac arrests.

3) Improves Digestion

Starfruit contains dietary fiber, which has many health benefits. The fiber in starfruit helps regulate digestion and makes bowel movements easier and more frequent.

It also reduces symptoms like stomach cramps and bloating resulting from constipation. Starfruit is a good source of Vitamin B, which helps keep metabolism running smoothly.

4) Healthy Hair and Skin

The rich presence of antioxidants, vitamin B, and C in starfruit promotes the growth of healthy skin and hair cells, which in turn leads to shiny hair and glowing skin.

In particular, antioxidants like gallic acid and quercet possess anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

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Is Star Fruit Suitable For Everybody?

If you have kidney problems, avoid star fruit. The neurotoxins in it are harmless to people with normal-functioning kidneys but not so much for people suffering from kidney ailments. Such people are unable to flush the neurotoxin out of their body, which can cause severe illness.

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Best Ways to Consume Star Fruit

Starfruit can be eaten raw or cooked. To prepare a raw starfruit, make sure it's ripe — it should be primarily yellow with only hints of green. Rinse the fruit under water. Cut off its ends. Slice it into pieces, and remove any seeds. Enjoy.

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Takeaway

If you're on the lookout for a new and healthy fruit to try, consider giving star fruit a whirl.

It has plenty of benefits along with very few drawbacks, making it an excellent addition to your diet. Just make sure you know how to store and prepare it before eating. The next time you hit the produce section in search of health foods, keep an eye out for starfruit. You may find yourself enjoying this healthy option.