It can become tiresome if you keep eating the same vegetables and fruits over and over.
You can increase the variety of your diet by adding delicious fruits and veggies.
Starfruit is also becoming more popular.
We discuss the health benefits, how to eat star fruit, and other frequently asked questions.
What is Star Fruit?
The scientific name for this star fruit is “Averrhoa Carambola”. The Averrhoa Carambola Tree produces this fruit. The fruit looks like a five-point star, true to its name. When it is raw, the fruit is dark green. The colour becomes shiny yellow as the fruit ripens. The skin can be eaten; The flesh is sweet and tart. Smaller fruits are more intense than larger ones; Larger fruits are more precious. Starfruit recipes are becoming more popular. Star fruits can be used to make lactation-boosting and diabetic-friendly smoothies. Although they are widely distributed, star-fruits are most common in tropical countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Star Fruit Scientific Name
Averrhoa Carambola is the scientific name for Starfruit. The fruit takes its name from the five-point star shape when it is cut.
Star Fruit Nutrition Facts
Here’s the nutrition profile for star-fruits based on 90 grams:
- Calories – 28 kcal
- Total carbohydrate – 6.2 g
- 2.5g of dietary fibre
- Starch – 0.0 gr
- Sugar – 3.6 g
- Protein – 0.9 g
- Total fat – 0.3g
- Saturated fat – 0.01 g
- Monounsaturated fat 0.0 g
- Polyunsaturated fat – 0.1 g
- Omega-3 fatty acid – 24.6 mg
- Omega-6 fatty acids – 143 mg
- Cholesterol – 0mg
Star Fruit Benefits
Starfruit benefits include great skin and hair, as well as disease prevention. Star fruit is also used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to heal.
1. Prevention of Cancer
Star fruits are rich in antioxidants and fibre, which can lower your body’s toxicity. This significantly reduces your chance of developing cancer.
2. Pregnancy Benefits of Star Fruits
The pregnancy benefits of star fruit include better immunity, improved digestion, and reduced blood pressure.
3. Star Fruit Skin Benefits
The skin benefits of star fruit can be obtained through both external and internal consumption. Starfruit antioxidants neutralize free radicals and reduce the effects of oxidative stress. This results in moisturized, blemish-free skin. It is protected against wrinkles and fine lines.
4. Diabetes: Star Fruit Benefits
The fibre in this fruit slows down glucose absorption in the blood and helps maintain blood sugar levels.
5. Increased Immunity
Starfruit’s high vitamin C content provides immunity-boosting properties. Starfruit benefits can be derived from regular consumption during the flu and cold season.
6. Reducing Inflammation
Flavonoids such as quercetin, gallic acid and epicatechin are found in star fruit. Because of their antioxidant properties, these compounds can neutralize free radicals in the body. It provides some protection against inflammation diseases. It also helps to reduce Inflammation and swelling in the joints.
7. Keeps your heart healthy
Starfruit helps maintain a healthy heart by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. It is high in potassium and sodium, which reduce blood pressure and promote healthy blood flow.
8. Improves Lactation
It is given to mothers unable or unwilling to produce enough milk for their babies. It increases breast milk production through the stimulation of hormone secretion.
9. Good for Digestion
Star fruit’s flesh and peel are used because they contain soluble and insoluble fibre. This fibre regulates bowel health and feeds the entire gastrointestinal tract. Proper bowel movements result in better digestion. This increases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
10. Excellent for the Respiratory System
Starfruit is suitable for your respiratory health. It prevents mucous production and increases saliva secretion.
11. Great for your hair
Vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and antioxidants are some hair benefits of star fruits. These nutrients play an essential role in the health and growth of your hair.
12. It is helpful in body detoxification
Due to its high water content, star fruit aids in detoxification. Starfruit can increase urination and is a diuretic. The urine flushes out excess fats and toxins from the body. It cleanses the liver and kidneys.
13. Lower Cholesterol
Star fruit’s fibre lowers bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.
14. Improves your Sleep
GABA levels are maintained by magnesium from star fruits. GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acids) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Stable GABA levels promote good sleep. A better metabolism is also a contributing factor to good quality sleep.
15. Star Fruits Benefits for Weight Loss
Star fruits are low in calories. Because of its high water content, it can keep you fuller for longer. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to stay fit.
How to Eat Star Fruits
How to Eat Star FruitsYou can eat ripe Starfruit immediately if you buy it. You will need to wait for the star fruit to ripen before you can eat it. When stored at room temperature, the fruit will ripen. Clean the fruit with water before eating.
How to Grow Star Fruit
1. Through the use of seeds
Place the fruit seeds in the moist peat moss. Once the seeds have germinated, they should be transferred to containers filled with sandy loam soil. Proper care will ensure their longevity. The distribution of sources can have unpredictable effects. This method is not the most popular for propagating business trees, but it may be the best for growing fruit seeds locally for home gardeners.
2. Cuttings
To propagate root roots, trim bud-laden branches at an angle. Then place them in a rooting agent and soil-covered polythene. Water the cuttings regularly and allow them to grow roots.
3. Harvesting
Harvesting begins when the edges turn yellow and the top becomes orange. The yellow colour of the whole fruit contributes towards a shorter shelf-life after harvesting is complete.
Side effects of star fruit
Side effects of star fruit overconsumption include:
- Kidney problems such as kidney stones or renal damage
- Get up stomach
- Neurological problems like confusion and seizures
- Death in rare cases
Can I eat Star Fruit every single day?
Although Star fruit consumption is not well researched, it should be avoided by people suffering from kidney disease. Starfruit toxicity can cause kidney damage and star fruit toxicity, leading to neurological problems such as confusion and seizures.
Star Fruit: Why is it so expensive?
Star fruit can be expensive, even during prime season, because it comes from faraway, exotic lands.
Can Star Fruit Seeds Be Eaten?
The Star fruit seeds are edible. However, unlike apple seeds, they taste slightly tart.
Summarising the Benefits of Star Fruit
Starfruit is low-calorie, delicious, and high in nutrients. It’s also rich in vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.
People with kidney disease or taking prescription medication should consult their doctor before consuming this fruit.
We also discussed the many health benefits of this herb, and we hope you will include it in your daily diet.