Star Fruit

Star fruit also known as carambola is a juicy tropical fruit that is grown throughout southeast asia. Star fruit is green when unripe; the fruit vary from pale yellow to deep amber when ripe. It has four to six strongly pointed ridges that run from top to bottom, and the soft flesh is encased in a thin waxy, translucent skin (which is eaten together with the flesh). When the fruit is cut crosswise each slice is shaped like a star, hence its named, astar fruit.a.

In different countries, this fruit is savored in different fashion. Star fruit is best eaten raw but can be consumed in form of jams, jellies and juice. This fruit can be consumed whole along with the skin which is firm, juicy and crispy. This fruit is known for its restrained sugar content which is healthy and never goes beyond 4% even in a well ripe carambola.

The fruit, which is mostly consumed fresh or as juice, is rich in vitamins a and c and it also has iron, and has high fiber content. The taste varies from sour to sweet, one way of distinguishing the sour variety from the sweeter ones is that the former has narrower ribs, while the latter have thicker, fleshy ones. Unripe star fruit is preserved in many parts of southeast asia and is used as a traditional remedy.

Star fruit is rich in vitamin c, a water soluble vitamin which is considered to be one of the best anti-oxidants for the body. It provides 34 mg of vitamin c which is 41% of daily need. As vitamin c is a powerful antioxidant it star fruit health benefitsboost the immune system to fight against cold and flu amongst other common infections. The other reason to pile on this fruit is because vitamin c is not stored in our body and gets evicted rather fast in form of excretions and sweating.

This is why fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin c content super beneficial for replenishing the lost anti-oxidant in our body. Anti-oxidants improve immune function work by cleaning out the toxins and free radicals that form in our body as a result of exposure to our environment, internal metabolism and systems and food sources.

Free radicals aggravate the inflammation in the body and delays the tissue repair. Star fruit contains a high amount of antioxidant and flavonoids that is highly beneficial to protect from such inflammation. Vitamin c not only acts as an anti-oxidant which flushes out toxins but also produces collagen. Collagen is a key component which repairs and forms bones, arteries and blood vessels. This role plays an important part in healing the body and allaying the damages caused at cellular and tissue level.

star fruit may lower cholesterol levels and add bulk and moisture to feces.

a decoction of leaves and roots (prepared separately or in combination) can help cure headaches, ringworm, and chickenpox.

the fruit is known to cure hangovers and prickly heat. You can also use the pickled fruit for hangover just take one piece of the pickled fruit, steam in water and serve.

the fruit has also been used to treat sore eyes.

the star fruit is given to nursing mothers as it is commonly believed to stimulate the flow of milk.

for sunstroke, a piece of the sweet variety is recommended.

for nausea and indigestion eat half piece of the fruit and repeat after 3 hours.

its high vitamin c content can help ward off winter colds and flu.

it is recommended as diet fruit because of its high fiber and low calorie content.

star fruit is also full of antioxidants and flavonoids.

Flowers have a sweet starfruit as with antipyretic and expectorant properties. Flowers sweet starfruit can be used for treating coughs in children. Starfruit tree roots can also be used for headaches and joint pain (arthritis). If there is a star fruit in the market, do not hesitate to buy.

The incidence of cancer is on an increase to an extent that it is being referred to as a lifestyle disease. The basic process that leads to cancer begins with the production of free radicals in the body. Formation of free radicals is a natural process and does not harm until antioxidants clean them out regularly. But where there is lack of antioxidants in the body, the free radicals multiply rapidly and damage the dna of our cells. This uncontrollable growth leads to cancer where damaged cells divide and further invade the healthy cells.

Antioxidants in form of vitamin c in star fruit help by cleaning the body and containing the growth of these free radicals before they cause any damage to healthy cells. star fruit contains fiber which cleanses toxin stored in the colon and since these toxins increase risk of colon cancer, it negates that risk as well. Fiber helps the body to flush these harmful toxins from colon thus protecting from colon cancer.

Researches on the carambola have demonstrated that they assist in controlling levels of cholesterol within the body. as an example, qualities in the starfruit aid in increasing the quantity of hdl (or good) cholesterol whilst decreasing the quantity of ldl (bad) cholesterol in the human body.

Diet is an essential part of weight loss regimen. In fact it is as important as exercising that is targeted at shaving off those extra kilos. There are some factors that make a food item ideal for inclusion in weight loss programs, these are- low fats, high water content, composition containing minerals and high fiber. All these factors make star fruit a well deserved snack to be included in a strict weight loss dietary regime.

Fiber makes you full faster and keep you feeling full for longer which curbs the appetite naturally. Water rich fruits and vegetables make up for the lost water in the body due to heavy exercises. This keeps your body well hydrated and fit. On the other hand, a healthy composition of minerals ensure that your electrolyte balance is maintained. Electrolyte manages the neuro transmission and regulates muscle function in the body. If you exercise regularly, then frequent cramping up can indicate low electrolyte levels in the body.

Star fruit contains an antimicrobial agent against certain types of diseases such as microbial bacillus cereus, e. Coli, salmonella typhi and staphylococcus aureus.

Star fruit contains nutrients like potassium and sodium that not only are important contents of electrolyte but also have roles that maintain blood pressure. High sodium is dangerous and can elevate the blood pressure. The levels of sodium are kept in check by magnesium. Magnesium is the metal that regulates the muscle function of the body including that of heart muscles. The contraction and expansion of heart muscles create heart beat and a regular heart beat facilitates blood flow.

Apart from muscle control, low fat content and nil cholesterol makes for a very healthy food supplement. This way it lowers the bad cholesterol which can lead to plaque and finally block the passage of arteries. Along with this it is lowest in calorie. Fiber content makes it highly beneficial for the cardiovascular system. These functions together lead to a healthy heart and optimizes its functioning.

Iron is what makes the pigment hemoglobin which lends the color areda to our blood. But more than the color it provides our body a vehicle that transports oxygen to all parts and organs. Usually deficiency of iron is quite common and widespread, especially in third world countries where nutrition for all poses a challenge. This deficiency is called anemia and it comes with symptoms like paleness on tongue, dark under eye circles, persistent drowsiness, headaches, tiredness and dizziness.

Even with high amount of iron rich food, you might not be able to get all the benefits because iron needs vitamin c for effective absorption. Of all the nutrients, star fruit has vitamin c as the most abundant in its composition. By facilitating the absorption of iron, star fruit indirectly leads to better hemoglobin levels and alleviate anemia.

The starfruit, due to its outstanding method of getting vitamin c, even rivalling those of citrus fruits, aids in preventing and also fight colds along with the flu.

Digestion is an important process that helps our body in assimilating and absorbing the nutrients well. Star fruit contains impressive amount of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber absorbs a lot of water and softens the bulk of stools. Softer stools are easy to pass through the gastrointestinal tract. Fiber especially the soluble fiber promotes the growth of good bacteria which keeps yeast infection in check and also aids better digestion.

Better digestion and healthy bowel movements protect the gastrointestinal tract from stress, rupture and infection. It also leads to regular cleaning out of the intestines which can help in fighting various infections and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Like a source of vitamins, particularly vitamin a and also c, starfruit efficient as an anti-oxidant within the combat with free-radicals. The fruit is additionally capable of assist in preventing the spread of cancer cells, improve endurance and stop canker sores.

Some women, especially the first time mothers sometimes find that they are producing inadequate amount of milk. Inability to feed breast milk can affect the woman negatively and at times it is just a hormonal imbalance that leads to this issue. It is a common problem and is usually rectified by administering hormonal pills but there are many natural remedies that can help you in increasing and sustaining high amount of milk; star fruit is one of those effective home remedies.

Some women may not experience the inadequate flow in the beginning but as the babyas appetite increases this issue may come knocking at the door. So with a well balanced diet, consume a glass of star fruit juice or just the fruit itself can alleviate this problem.

As mentioned earlier, free radicals and toxins are cleared by anti-oxidants like vitamin c from the body. This flushing of toxins also leads to better skin in more than many ways. It controls and arrests the problem of acne which plagues most the teenagers. A glass of star fruit juice everyday or every other day can give you very well hydrated and smooth skin. Apart from acne, in adults star fruit can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and delay ageing symptoms in general. The elasticity and tautness lent by vitamin c in star fruit is sure to add to the glow of your skin and its health.

It is recommended not to eat star fruit if you are facing kidney problem in form of recurrent kidney stones. Even if you had incidence of stones, it is recommended that you steer clear of this fruit. Oxalate is the main content in composition of star fruit that is responsible for this problem. Oxalate is the mineral that makes up majority of kidney stones by getting stored in kidney and eventually creating build ups that choke the pores that filter the blood.

People with weak kidneys can face very dangerous and in some cases fatal consequences by consuming this fruit on a regular basis. The symptoms of star fruit intoxication may be hiccups, insomnia, nausea, vomiting and mental confusion.