Star fruit is a popular tropical fruit with a sweet and sour taste.Star fruit, also known as carambola, is quite popular in the United States. The star fruit has many health benefits due to the rich nutrients present in it.People usually prefer to use this tropical fruit as a garnish due to the star-shaped slices that can make dishes instantly more appealing. Although the overall outside shape of the star fruit is quite ordinary, when it is sliced horizontally, it takes on a star shape, which is why the name of the fruit is star fruit. While the fruit can be enjoyed as it is, it can also be added to various recipes for any meal, be it a main dish, dessert, or even snack, to improve the taste.Star fruit comes in many varieties, which differ from each other in size, color, and sweetness. While some varieties of star fruit are sweet, others are more tart. Moreover, there are particular varieties of star fruit whose seeds are edible, too, even though people usually remove them. Some of these varieties include Demak, Erlin, golden star, Maha, Cheng Chui, and Pasi. Most of these varieties come from certain countries in southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Florida, and Hawaii in the west.Star fruit has only gained popularity in the last few years. It is a fruit that is produced in warm climates and is imported or exported all over the world. Ripe star fruit is usually yellow in color. The green-colored star fruit means it is unripe.Furthermore, the star fruit doesn’t ripen or increase its sweetness after it has been picked, unlike some other fruits. The star fruit can be kept in the refrigerator and should be washed before eating. The peel of the star fruit is also edible. The taste range of the star fruit can range from mildly sweet to sour in flavor.According to the information provided by the United States Agriculture Department (USDA), 4.6 oz (132 g) of cubed star fruit contains 41 calories, which makes it a low-calorie fruit. This serving of the star fruit also contains 0.01 oz (0.4 g) of fat, 0.31 oz (8.9 g) of carbohydrates, 0.13 oz (3.7 g) of dietary fiber, 0.18 oz (5.3 g) of sugar, and 0.04 oz (1.4 g) of protein. Additionally, it contains traces of sodium.Star fruit also has a good amount of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, vitamin E, beta carotene, magnesium, selenium, calcium, folate, zinc, and copper.Once you finish reading this fun-facts article, you might also be interested in reading more fun articles like soya nutrition facts and spam nutrition facts, here at Kidadl.Benefits For SkinAmong the many health benefits of eating star fruit, there is one that can help your skin. The minerals present in the fruit are beneficial for the skin.Fresh fruits with high water content are always good for your skin, but there are also several nutrients and vitamins in the star fruit that can benefit the health of your skin.Antioxidants are compounds that hinder or restrict the oxidation process, wherein chemical reactions are created along with the production of free radicals that can cause damage to an organism’s cells. The oxidation rate in the body can be reduced by decreasing the number of processed foods in your diet that contain high amounts of sugar and fat. It can also be reduced by lowering your stress levels, exercising, and eating healthy fresh fruits and vegetables.Star fruit contains selenium, which has antioxidant properties. It can greatly improve your skin health. At the same time, star fruits are also a rich source of vitamin C. It is believed that a single star fruit can contain up to 75% of the daily value of vitamin C, depending on the fruit’s size. This vitamin has anti-inflammatory qualities, which can help treat certain skin conditions such as dermatitis.Vitamin C also helps your body clean itself of toxic substances. Vitamin C also helps in fighting against the flu and cold. Moreover, continuous consumption of vitamin C can improve your immune system’s ability to fight infections caused by cold viruses. Instead of ingesting the dietary supplements of vitamin C, you can easily get it from consuming fresh fruits like star fruit.Benefits To BloodThere are various minerals and vitamins that can help to improve the blood health of a person. One of the conditions caused by a blood-related deficiency is called anemia. Moreover, there are various other health issues related to blood.One of the essential nutrients present in the star fruits is folic acid. Folate aids in the production of red blood cells in the body; it is also known to help in the development of the brain, spinal cord, and skull of a fetus inside the mother’s body. Moreover, folate also improves heart health and reduces the risk of developing heart disease.Meanwhile, the presence of sodium and potassium in the star fruit can help to regulate blood pressure. When both minerals are consumed in healthy amounts, they can not only control the blood pressure but also prevent the abnormal rhythm of the heart. Star fruits also have calcium, which can aid the proper circulation of the blood and strengthen the muscles and bones of the body. Even the blood sugar levels in the body can be regulated through the fiber intake from star fruits.Instead of using prescription drugs to maintain blood health, you can rather add such mineral-rich foods to your diet; consuming star fruit is one such option.Boost DigestionThe health benefits of star fruit may also include a boost to the digestive system. Food items rich in fiber can help improve digestion and bowel movements. The star fruit is rich in fiber and can thus contribute greatly to the digestive health of the body. The fiber content also improves metabolism.A fiber-rich diet ensures improved digestion as it can help the stool become soft. We eat a variety of foods in our daily life. While some food items are digested easily, others require effort from our bodies to be digested properly. The intestines and the various minerals in our body have to process the food and absorb the nutrition from it into the blood. The waste then has to be removed from the body.For various reasons, the waste can get stuck inside the intestines. One such reason could be the low amount of fiber. If there is adequate fiber in the body, it makes the stool or waste soft enough to pass out of the body without hurting the gut or the intestines.When the stool is unable to pass out of the body, it can lead to constipation. The high amount of fiber in the star fruits can help avoid constipation and regulate bowel movements.Prevents Digestive Tract InfectionThe digestive system of the human body is sensitive and needs proper care. Healthy digestion can be ensured by eating healthy food and exercising properly. If the digestive system is negatively affected, it can lead to various other problems.A digestive tract infection is also known as a gastrointestinal infection. This infection can lead to stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Gastrointestinal infections can be viral, parasitic, or bacterial. This infection can be developed by coming into contact with another infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. Multiple symptoms of gastrointestinal infection affect the stomach and the small intestine.Some of these symptoms are nausea, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, muscle aches, loss of appetite, headache, and dehydration. The infection can also be detected by the presence of mucus or blood in the stool. This infection can be treated mostly by taking antibiotics and keeping hydrated.However, you can prevent gastrointestinal infections from developing in the first place by eating healthy food, limiting processed food, and avoiding contaminated food and drinks.Star fruit, with its rich fiber and other nutrients, can help to prevent gastrointestinal infections and improve the digestive system.Did You Know…Even though it might seem that with so many health benefits, anyone can enjoy star fruit, that is not the case.Although star fruits are a good source of nutrients, they can have adverse effects on people suffering from kidney problems such as kidney stones. Therefore, people with kidney disease should avoid eating star fruit. However, people who have healthy kidneys can definitely eat star fruit.Moreover, star fruit has a toxic substance present in it. There are neurotoxins that are not at all good for your health. They can cause neurological disorders and affect brain health. People with healthy kidneys can easily process this toxin and pass it out of the body. But in the case of people suffering from kidney disease, this is not possible.The toxin would then remain in the body and lead to many illnesses. This is also (aptly) called ‘star fruit poisoning’. The symptoms of star fruit poisoning can be hiccups and mental confusion. On a serious level, it can also cause seizures and even death in the worst-case scenario.People with kidney disease should generally avoid eating this fruit, and if they do accidentally eat the fruit, they should immediately consult their doctor about it. Moreover, like any other food product, this fruit should also be eaten moderately, as too much of anything is always harmful rather than good.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for star fruit nutritional facts, then why not take a look at samosa nutrition facts or sandwich nutrition facts.
Star fruit is a popular tropical fruit with a sweet and sour taste.
