Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNutrition Facts & CautionsBenefitsWho Should Avoid It?Cultural Significance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Nutrition Facts & Cautions
Benefits
Who Should Avoid It?
Cultural Significance
When sliced, star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.)has five points and looks like a star. Ripe star fruit tastes sweet with some tart, sour, or tanginess. It’s been compared to a combination of pear, green grape, and orange flavors.Star fruit contains compounds that are beneficial to overall health. However, people with kidney disease and other diseases must avoid it due to potential side effects.This article discusses star fruit’s nutritional profile, its benefits, who should avoid it, how to eat it, and more.Priscila Zambotto / Getty ImagesIs Star Fruit Nutritious or Dangerous?Star fruit is nutritious, serving as a good fiber and vitamin C source. It also has plant-based compounds and smaller amounts of minerals (magnesium, potassium, and zinc).Star fruit contains oxalate and caramboxin, which can be toxic for people withkidney disease, chronicpancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal disorders.Those with well-functioning kidneys can process and pass these compounds without harm. However, the high levels can build up and become toxic for people with kidney disease. Symptoms may include:HiccupsSeizuresMental confusionDeath (in the most serious cases)A variety of factors may impact the toxic dose of star fruit for people with the above disorders. These factors include:Levels of hydration at the time of ingestionIf consumed on an empty stomachType of star fruit consumed (sour as compared to sweet)Concentration of oxalate in the star fruit extractSpeak with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about whether star fruit is a dangerous food for you to consume.Star Fruit Nutrition FactsOne medium star fruit contains:Calories: 28Fat: 0.3 grams (g)Carbohydrates: 6.1 gFiber: 2.5 gSugars: 3.6 gProtein: 1 gSodium: 1.8 milligrams (mg)Calcium: 2.7 mgMagnesium: 9.1 mgPotassium: 121 mgVitamin C:31.3 mgBenefits of Eating Star FruitStar fruit is low in calories and provides fiber and antioxidants like vitamin C. Ripened star fruit turns from green to yellow (it may have tinges of light green), and the entire fruit can be eaten, including the skin. If you eat the skin, ensure it is washed properly and thoroughly. Should the outside turn brown, it is overripe.Much of the clinical research evaluating the potential health benefits of star fruit has been conducted in animals. More human studies are needed.Helps Prevent Chronic InflammationStar fruit contains high levels of antioxidants, such as the following:.FlavonoidsProanthocyanidinsVitamin CBeta-caroteneAlkaloidsTanninsAntioxidants help scavengefree radicals(harmful unstable molecules), which helps preventoxidative stress(a disturbance in the balance of free radicals and antioxidants) and chronicinflammation.This is valuable since chronic inflammation is a key driver in the development of noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.Supports a Healthy Immune SystemVitamin Cis an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in immune function.It assists the body in making immune cells, likelymphocytes(white blood cells), and protecting the body from free radical damage.One medium star fruit contains about 33% of your daily needs for vitamin C.Regulates Blood Sugar and Supports Gut HealthStar fruit contains about 2.5 g of fiber in one medium fruit serving.Fiberis important for heart, digestive, and metabolic health. Fiber is digested slowly and can increase feelings of fullness and help regulateblood sugar(glucose).High fiber intake is associated with a reduced risk of:ObesityType 2 diabetesCardiovascular diseaseColorectal cancer(colon and rectum)Premenopausalbreast cancerAdequate fiber intake also supports gut health, promoting bowel regularity. Some forms of fiber act asprebiotics; they feedprobioticsor healthy bacteria in your gut. Having enough good bacteria is important for digestion and controlling harmful bacteria.Who Shouldn’t Eat Star Fruit?You should avoid star fruit if you have a history ofkidney diseaseor chronic pancreatitis.In addition, if you take medication, consult with your prescribing healthcare provider before consuming star fruit, as it may contain compounds that can change how your body metabolizes your medication.Cultural Significance and UsesStar fruit is native to Malaysia and has been grown for centuries in Indonesia and China.World cultures have unique uses for star fruit. In Brazil, the juice is drunk to quench thirst and is also used medicinally as a diuretic (way to reduce fluid buildup in the body) for people with bladder problems. In India, people sometimes use star fruit juice for hangovers or fever relief.Star fruit is commonly used in Ayurveda (traditional medical system of India) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as in the following ways:Cooling agent and appetite stimulantCoughDiarrheaHeadacheEczemaFungal skin infectionsBleedinghemorrhoidsFor culinary purposes, star fruit can be juiced or eaten as is. It’s often used as a garnish in salads or side dishes and added to smoothies, desserts, jams, and syrups.SummaryStar fruit is a sweet and sour-tasting fruit shaped like a star when cut. It can be a beautiful addition to a plate, adding flavor, fiber, antioxidants like vitamin C, and other micronutrients. In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, star fruit has been used to treat certain clinical conditions.People with conditions that affect the kidneys or pancreas need to avoid star fruit as it contains certain compounds that, when built up in the body, can be toxic. If you are unsure about about the safety of eating star fruit, ask a healthcare provider.
When sliced, star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.)has five points and looks like a star. Ripe star fruit tastes sweet with some tart, sour, or tanginess. It’s been compared to a combination of pear, green grape, and orange flavors.
Star fruit contains compounds that are beneficial to overall health. However, people with kidney disease and other diseases must avoid it due to potential side effects.
This article discusses star fruit’s nutritional profile, its benefits, who should avoid it, how to eat it, and more.
Priscila Zambotto / Getty Images
Is Star Fruit Nutritious or Dangerous?
Star fruit is nutritious, serving as a good fiber and vitamin C source. It also has plant-based compounds and smaller amounts of minerals (magnesium, potassium, and zinc).
Star fruit contains oxalate and caramboxin, which can be toxic for people withkidney disease, chronicpancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal disorders.Those with well-functioning kidneys can process and pass these compounds without harm. However, the high levels can build up and become toxic for people with kidney disease. Symptoms may include:
A variety of factors may impact the toxic dose of star fruit for people with the above disorders. These factors include:
Speak with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about whether star fruit is a dangerous food for you to consume.
Star Fruit Nutrition Facts
One medium star fruit contains:
Benefits of Eating Star Fruit
Star fruit is low in calories and provides fiber and antioxidants like vitamin C. Ripened star fruit turns from green to yellow (it may have tinges of light green), and the entire fruit can be eaten, including the skin. If you eat the skin, ensure it is washed properly and thoroughly. Should the outside turn brown, it is overripe.
Much of the clinical research evaluating the potential health benefits of star fruit has been conducted in animals. More human studies are needed.
Helps Prevent Chronic Inflammation
Star fruit contains high levels of antioxidants, such as the following:.
Antioxidants help scavengefree radicals(harmful unstable molecules), which helps preventoxidative stress(a disturbance in the balance of free radicals and antioxidants) and chronicinflammation.
This is valuable since chronic inflammation is a key driver in the development of noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Supports a Healthy Immune System
Vitamin Cis an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in immune function.It assists the body in making immune cells, likelymphocytes(white blood cells), and protecting the body from free radical damage.One medium star fruit contains about 33% of your daily needs for vitamin C.
Regulates Blood Sugar and Supports Gut Health
Star fruit contains about 2.5 g of fiber in one medium fruit serving.Fiberis important for heart, digestive, and metabolic health. Fiber is digested slowly and can increase feelings of fullness and help regulateblood sugar(glucose).High fiber intake is associated with a reduced risk of:
Adequate fiber intake also supports gut health, promoting bowel regularity. Some forms of fiber act asprebiotics; they feedprobioticsor healthy bacteria in your gut. Having enough good bacteria is important for digestion and controlling harmful bacteria.
Who Shouldn’t Eat Star Fruit?
You should avoid star fruit if you have a history ofkidney diseaseor chronic pancreatitis.In addition, if you take medication, consult with your prescribing healthcare provider before consuming star fruit, as it may contain compounds that can change how your body metabolizes your medication.
Cultural Significance and Uses
Star fruit is native to Malaysia and has been grown for centuries in Indonesia and China.World cultures have unique uses for star fruit. In Brazil, the juice is drunk to quench thirst and is also used medicinally as a diuretic (way to reduce fluid buildup in the body) for people with bladder problems. In India, people sometimes use star fruit juice for hangovers or fever relief.
Star fruit is commonly used in Ayurveda (traditional medical system of India) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as in the following ways:
For culinary purposes, star fruit can be juiced or eaten as is. It’s often used as a garnish in salads or side dishes and added to smoothies, desserts, jams, and syrups.
Summary
Star fruit is a sweet and sour-tasting fruit shaped like a star when cut. It can be a beautiful addition to a plate, adding flavor, fiber, antioxidants like vitamin C, and other micronutrients. In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, star fruit has been used to treat certain clinical conditions.
People with conditions that affect the kidneys or pancreas need to avoid star fruit as it contains certain compounds that, when built up in the body, can be toxic. If you are unsure about about the safety of eating star fruit, ask a healthcare provider.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, De Zoysa I, Seneviratne SL.Mechanisms of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) toxicity: A mini-review.Toxicon.2020;187:198-202. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.09.010National Kidney Foundation.Why you should avoid eating starfruit.Lakmal K, Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, Seneviratne SL.Nutritional and medicinal properties of star fruit (averrhoa carambola): A review.Food Sci Nutr.2021;9(3):1810-1823. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2135United States Department of Agriculture.Carambola, (starfruit), raw.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: What you need to know.Arulselvan P, Fard MT, Tan WS, et al.Role of antioxidants and natural products in inflammation.Oxid Med Cell Longev.2016;2016:5276130. doi:10.1155/2016/5276130National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.Cerullo G, Negro M, Parimbelli M, et al.The long history of vitamin C: From prevention of the common cold to potential aid in the treatment of COVID-19.Front Immunol.2020;11:574029. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.574029Waddell IS, Orfila C.Dietary fiber in the prevention of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases: From epidemiological evidence to potential molecular mechanisms.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2023;63(27):8752-8767. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2061909University of Wisconsin. Stevens Point.Starfruit.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, De Zoysa I, Seneviratne SL.Mechanisms of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) toxicity: A mini-review.Toxicon.2020;187:198-202. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.09.010National Kidney Foundation.Why you should avoid eating starfruit.Lakmal K, Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, Seneviratne SL.Nutritional and medicinal properties of star fruit (averrhoa carambola): A review.Food Sci Nutr.2021;9(3):1810-1823. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2135United States Department of Agriculture.Carambola, (starfruit), raw.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: What you need to know.Arulselvan P, Fard MT, Tan WS, et al.Role of antioxidants and natural products in inflammation.Oxid Med Cell Longev.2016;2016:5276130. doi:10.1155/2016/5276130National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.Cerullo G, Negro M, Parimbelli M, et al.The long history of vitamin C: From prevention of the common cold to potential aid in the treatment of COVID-19.Front Immunol.2020;11:574029. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.574029Waddell IS, Orfila C.Dietary fiber in the prevention of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases: From epidemiological evidence to potential molecular mechanisms.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2023;63(27):8752-8767. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2061909University of Wisconsin. Stevens Point.Starfruit.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, De Zoysa I, Seneviratne SL.Mechanisms of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) toxicity: A mini-review.Toxicon.2020;187:198-202. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.09.010National Kidney Foundation.Why you should avoid eating starfruit.Lakmal K, Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, Seneviratne SL.Nutritional and medicinal properties of star fruit (averrhoa carambola): A review.Food Sci Nutr.2021;9(3):1810-1823. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2135United States Department of Agriculture.Carambola, (starfruit), raw.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: What you need to know.Arulselvan P, Fard MT, Tan WS, et al.Role of antioxidants and natural products in inflammation.Oxid Med Cell Longev.2016;2016:5276130. doi:10.1155/2016/5276130National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.Cerullo G, Negro M, Parimbelli M, et al.The long history of vitamin C: From prevention of the common cold to potential aid in the treatment of COVID-19.Front Immunol.2020;11:574029. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.574029Waddell IS, Orfila C.Dietary fiber in the prevention of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases: From epidemiological evidence to potential molecular mechanisms.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2023;63(27):8752-8767. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2061909University of Wisconsin. Stevens Point.Starfruit.
Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, De Zoysa I, Seneviratne SL.Mechanisms of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) toxicity: A mini-review.Toxicon.2020;187:198-202. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.09.010
National Kidney Foundation.Why you should avoid eating starfruit.
Lakmal K, Yasawardene P, Jayarajah U, Seneviratne SL.Nutritional and medicinal properties of star fruit (averrhoa carambola): A review.Food Sci Nutr.2021;9(3):1810-1823. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2135
United States Department of Agriculture.Carambola, (starfruit), raw.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Antioxidant supplements: What you need to know.
Arulselvan P, Fard MT, Tan WS, et al.Role of antioxidants and natural products in inflammation.Oxid Med Cell Longev.2016;2016:5276130. doi:10.1155/2016/5276130
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.
Cerullo G, Negro M, Parimbelli M, et al.The long history of vitamin C: From prevention of the common cold to potential aid in the treatment of COVID-19.Front Immunol.2020;11:574029. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.574029
Waddell IS, Orfila C.Dietary fiber in the prevention of obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases: From epidemiological evidence to potential molecular mechanisms.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.2023;63(27):8752-8767. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2061909
University of Wisconsin. Stevens Point.Starfruit.
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