Amazing star fruit benefits

As one of the foods for the intestine, star fruit benefits are quite enormous. Star fruit or carambola has effect such as mild laxative and with a delicate flavor.

The carambola fruit or Star fruit derived its name from its five pointed cross-section, and a Star regarding its popularity in international markets.

The pulp of this fruit is very delicate in texture and its flavor is a pleasant bittersweet. One of the uses of this fruit in restaurants is to have it adorn a variety of special dishes.

The Chinese tamarind tree (‘Averrhoa carambola’ L.), a tree of the botanical family Oxalidaceae. It grows to a height of 2 meters. The fruit is golden-yellow in color measuring from 6 – 12 cm in length.

Other names include: Belimbing, Bilimbi, Star fruit, Five-angled fruit, Star apple.

French: Carambole,

Spanish: Carambola, árbol del pepino

German: Karambole

This fruit is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. However, they are now grown or cultivated in other Asian nations and American tropical countries. Countries that produce star fruit the most are Thailand, Brazil and Colombia.

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Properties of Carambola

This fruit contains 5.13% carbohydrates which are in the form of sugars. It also has small amounts of proteins (0.54%) and fats (0.34%). There are 33 calories in 100 grams of carambola.

There is moderate amount of provitamin A (40 μg RE/100 g), B complex vitamins and also vitamins C and E. Vitamin C is the most abundant (21.2 mg /100 g).

One of the star fruit benefits is that it provides all of the minerals necessary for the diet. However, they are present in small amounts, except potassium which is 163 mg / 100 grams.

On the properties of Star fruit, its pulp is rich in soluble fiber (2.7%) and this gives it the soothing laxative effect. This also is among the star fruit benefits.

Ripe star fruit is crunchy, flesh and has enormous juice with sweet and tart taste. Larger star fruits are less tart than the smaller fruits. This fruit for the stomach is quite low in calories and a good source of antioxidants, vitamins and other nutrients.

They include:

1. Protein
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin B5
4. Calcium
5. Potassium
6. Fiber
7. Copper
8. Foliate
9. Sodium
10. Magnesium

Star Fruit Composition

Per 100 grams of raw edible portion

Energy                       =          33.0 kcal = 138 kj

Carbohydrates        =          5.13 g

Protein                      =          0.540 g

Fiber                          =          2.70 g

Vitamin A                  =          49.0 μg RE

Vitamin B₁                =          0.028 mg

Vitamin B₂                =          0.027 mg

Niacin                        =          0.478 mg NE

Vitamin B₆                =          0.100 mg

Folate                        =          14.0 μg

Vitamin B₁₂               =          __

Vitamin C                  =          21.2 mg

Vitamin E                  =          0.370 mg ∝-TE

Phosphorus             =          16.0 mg

Calcium                     =          4.00 mg

Magnesium             =          9.00 mg

Iron                            =          0.260 mg

Potassium                 =          163 mg

Zinc                            =          0.110 mg

Total Fat                    =          0.350 g

Saturated Fat          =          0.023 g

Sodium                      =          2.00

Cholesterol               =          __

% Daily Value provided by 100 grams of this good

According encyclopaedia of foods and their healing power (George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D.)           

Percentage Composition

Carbohydrates        =                      5.13%

Fiber                          =                      2.70%

Minerals                    =                      0.370%

Fat                              =                      0.350%

Protein                      =                      0.540%

Water                        =                      90.9%

Star Fruit Benefits Regarding Health

Let’s take a look at the therapeutic and dietary applications.

Elevated cholesterol

Star fruits or carambolas help reduce absorption of cholesterol by the intestines. This is due to their high soluble fiber content.

Constipation

Constipation as a result of intestinal atony, which seems to be the frequent type. 2 or 3 star fruits eaten at breakfast promotes evacuation.

The following are the main star fruit benefits listed below.

Prevents cancer

Researches conducted promise that carambola or star fruit has the capacity to prevent cancer. With the help of the fiber in the fruit, toxicity levels in the body are reduced and thus helps to lower one’s risk of getting cancer.

Weight Loss

It is evident that star fruit has high fiber which is one of the star fruit benefits. This enormous fiber of the carambola fruit helps boost one’s metabolism and gives way to lose weight.

Since each serving is quite low in calories, you can get the best part of this fruit without adding on weight.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

The presence of antioxidants in this fruit or foods help ease symptoms such as dermatitis and psoriasis. In essence, high levels of antioxidants is one of the star fruit benefits which portrays it as a good anti inflammatory.

Boost Immune System

This fruit is highly enriched with vitamin C which makes sure or ensures that our body will manufacture the best level of white blood cells for a strong immunity.

Improves respiration

It’s anti-inflammatory action or effects help in soothing our sore throat. The juice of star fruit goes through mucus and phlegm, allowing a better choice for the treatment of respiratory infections and promoting our overall health. This is one of the star fruit benefits so to say.

Good for the heart

Abundance of potassium and sodium in carambola is also one of the star fruit benefits.  Thus is because these nutrients act as electrolyte, thereby helping in maintaining proper blood pressure.

This activity ensures a good regular heartbeat and blood flow.

Preparation and Use

Preserves: star fruit pulp lends itself quite well to jellies and jams

Fresh: Large star fruit are the sweetest and quite flavorful. The smaller carambolas are somewhat sour in taste

Beverages: They are used in making topical flavored beverages.

Warning

Consuming or eating this fruit may have harmful impact in the health of individuals suffering from kidney diseases.

There are also toxic substances in star fruit called neurotoxin. People not suffering from kidney disease can process and get rid of these toxins out of their body, but this is not the same for those who have kidney ailments.

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Fidel Perez

A graduate of Computer Science and Information Management Technology. Diploma – Caregiving, Certificates – Dementia and Diabetes Awareness and Management. A researcher, blogger, songwriter, singer and acoustic guitarist. Born in an environment where natural talents such as healing are imparted at our natural birth. This natural talents of healing is the result of our genetic inheritance and the training from family environment.