Star fruit

Star fruit is named after its shape, it has a longitudinal star shape. It tastes sweet and sour. Its scientific name is Averrhoa carambola or English name carambola.

All fruit parts are edible. And used in many dishes. They come in two types: green and yellow. The big ones are sweeter than smaller ones. They are found native in tropical southeast Asia. They are consumed in many parts of the world like Brazil, the USA, Caribbean, and South Asia.

A single star fruit contain following: 

• Fiber: 3 grams
• Protein: 1 gram
• Vitamin C: 52% of the RDI
• Vitamin B5: 4% of the RDI
• Folate: 3% of the RDI
• Copper: 6% of the RDI
• Potassium: 3% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 2% of the RDI

Star fruit calories are low and have high fiber and vitamin C. In low calories content star fruit is very nutritious.

Health value:

• Star fruits have many other values and content which are healthy.
• Plant compounds like quercetin, gallic acid, and epicatechin are found in Star Fruit. These plant compounds have excellent properties like antioxidant properties which is the reason for many health benefits.
• Fatty liver risk and cholesterol can be reduced if star fruit is consumed. It has compounds which help the body to reduce it. These compounds have the ability to stop liver cancer.
• It decreases the lipid levels which inturn decreases the cholesterol level in the body. Mass index and atherogenic index is reduced which helps to reduce fatty liver diseases especially non alcoholic fatty liver. This fruit has low lipid content and high fiber which reduces the lipid absorption. study found that star fruit.
• Star fruits have plant compounds like gallic acid, quercetin and they have antioxidant properties. These polyphenol plant compounds mix with vitamin c to act as antioxidants. In the body there are many peroxides and hyper oxides produced by cancer cells and help to fight the immunity system. By this activity it decreases the growth of tumors and helps in normal cell, blood cells survival rate. 
• It helps to reduce the glucose in the blood.
• The fiber in the fruits decreases the rate of absorption of carbohydrates in the body. This fruit increases the insulin levels and significantly helps diabetic people. 
• It may be an antimicrobial property that reduces the growth of microbes.
• It may have anti-ulcer properties that reduce the ulcer in the body.
• The leaves of this fruit help in prevention of ulcers in the stomach. Plants bioactive compound and mucilage helps to rebuild the linings of gut damaged by gas or other problems.
• It contains vitamin C which boosts our immunity system.Star fruit have vitamin c at high levels which help in reducing the free radicals in the body and promote daily production of WBC which is the soul of immunity.
• It helps in the normal  exit of urine.
• It helps to decrease diarrhea. 
• Sugar found in Star Fruit has the ability to reduce the inflammation in the body.
• Star fruits contain vitamin c and other minerals which show anti inflammation properties. Swelling in the joints, psoriasis can be treated with it. Sore throat and cough inflammation can also be treated by using Star fruit.
•  As the fruit and its fruits have antimicrobial properties, they inhibit the growth of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The leaves have the properties to kill the bacteria and microbes. Some bacteria are S. aureus, Klebsiella spp., E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. cereus.
• This  fruit contains potassium, sodium, and calcium. This sodium and potassium are electrolytes which maintain the pressure of blood. Which in turn main heartbeat and heartflow. This maintains the health of the heart. The calcium is used in the veins and arteries pumping, this calcium reduces the tension which inturn decreases the rate of heart attack.

Side effects:

Carambolas have compound caramboxin and oxalic acid.  People who are suffering from kidney failure, kidney stones or any medical procedure to them above both substances are harmful. hiccups, vomiting, nausea, mental confusion, and sometimes death are symptoms for patients with kidney failure who consume this star Fruit. Neurotoxin Caramboxin is similar to amino acid  phenylalanine. It also is a glutamatergic agonist.

How to eat it:

There are few steps: 

• The big and ripe ones are yellow. They are sweeter than green. You should eat this yellow if eaten like Fruit.
• Wash it properly with water.
• Its ends are useless and sour so cut it off.
• Slice it and remove the seed and enjoy the fruits.

Others use of it:

•  It can be Sliced and eaten raw.
• Make it like salad.
• Garnishing on some meals.
• Sour pudding or sweet pie.
• Curry and stews like dishes can be made from it.
• Seafood is cooked with it.
• It is used in making jam and chutney.
• Juice and beverages are made from it.

Conclusion:

Star fruits have high nutritional value. This can help in many health benefits. But for people who have any kidney diseases they should avoid it. Please they should not have it without consulting doctors. Many fruits have many side effects on many people so please visit a doctor for more information.