In today’s time, everyone wants a healthy lifestyle. Not to worry anymore as now you have a perfect solution for your health problems. Star fruit benefits will help you to deal with your health issues and have beautiful skin and hair.
What is Star Fruit?
The tangy, exotic fruit of the tropics, Carambola, also referred to as star fruit arises on a bushy evergreen tree. The fruit gets its unusual name from its shape which is in the form of a star when cut in cross-section. It is native to the nations of Indonesia, Philippines, and Malesia, while several other Asian countries produce it in large quantities. This tangy citrus fruit might add a wink to your face as soon as you taste it. Read further to know about star fruit benefits!
Nutrients
The star fruit(1) is rich in nutritional value and can prove very healthy for you. Enlighten yourself with some of the Star fruit benefits and nutrients:
Every 100 grams of the Starfruit contains:
| Fiber | 3 grams |
| Protein | 1 gram |
| Vitamin C | 52% |
| Vitamin B5 | 4% |
| Folate | 3% |
| Copper | 6% |
| Potassium | 3% |
| Magnesium | 2% |
Calories
It is quite interesting to note that Carambola or green star fruit is one of the very few exotic fruits with a meager percentage of calories in it. 100 grams of carambola contains only 31 grams of calories. Might be good news for calorie conscious fruit lovers!
Star Fruit Health Benefits
Star fruit benefits include great traditional home remedies as well as medicinal benefits when introduced in the diet plan. Depending on the star fruit ripeness, it tastes sour to sweet-sour as the quantity of oxalic acid in it changes. If not readily available near you, the star fruit seeds can help you grow the tree in your backyard.
1. Beautiful Clear Skin
The yellowish green star fruit has antimicrobial agents who fight against acne and other skin infection bacteria like the microbial bacillus cereus, E.coli, salmonella typhus, etc. It is useful in the prevention and cure of eczema.
2. Help in Weight Loss
Star Fruit has little calories in it while it is rich in fiber. It has a right amount of carbohydrates boosting you up with energy, without adding any extra weight.
[Read: Natural Tips To Lose Weight ]
3. Hair Quality
One of the significant star fruit benefits includes your natural hair treatment(2), through the potentials of Vitamin C found in abundance in it. The star fruit is also rich in antioxidants that add extra shine and softness to your gorgeous hair. Additionally, the presence of Vitamin B-Complex aids in hair growth.
4. Controls Blood Pressure
The minerals and electrolytes present in the star fruit benefits the ability to control blood pressure and heartbeat rate, turning it into a little life saver.
5. Aid in Metabolism
Carambola possesses excellent advantages when it comes to improvement in the metabolism process owing to the availability of nutrients like folates, riboflavin, and pyridoxine in it. They reduce the growth of harmful synthetic elements in the body and help protect it.
How to Eat the Star Fruit?
It is good to be consumed in its natural form once the star fruit seeds are scraped off. Wash the fruit thoroughly before slicing and eating it with salt on other sides. You can also opt for consuming it in the form of juice. Add a little sugar for flavor. However, there are hundreds of star fruit recipes as well that are highly popular. They are relished in the form of pickles as well. Try one such delicious recipe described in this article.
DIY Star Fruit Recipes
Starfruit is also a star when it comes to its taste. People make no delay in innovating delicious star fruit recipes and adding flavor to their lives. Some even enjoy the fruit by cutting it into little star pieces with some salt sprinkled over it. All relish the tangy salty and sweet mix of the flavors in it. Some also love the star fruit juice as a health drink. If you are wondering, how the star fruit tastes and are excited to include it in your meal, then try the star fruit jam recipe, at your home.
Star Fruit Jam Recipe
Starfruit jam recipe is simple and easy to follow that serves you with a tasty flavor in your mouth. Do it yourself at home, any time.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg fresh green star fruit, scrape out the star fruit seeds
- 3 ½ cups of water
- 750g sugar
- Two lemons, squeezed to use their juice
- One teaspoon salt
Method:
- Cut the carambola fruit into smaller slices with its seeds scraped out and place them in a saucepan.
- Add water in the saucepan.
- Boil the fruit in the water until it becomes soft and tender.
- Add sugar, salt, and lemon juice.
- Mix them well in the saucepan and boil the mixture until the jam sets.
- Pour the jam into jars.
- Your mouth-watering sweet and sour jam is ready to be devoured.
Star Fruit Side Effects
Carambola is known to contain a toxic substance called neurotoxin which can affect the brain and cause neurological disorders. This toxin usually does not change ordinary, healthy people without any kidney problems as it passes out from the body through kidneys and they can avail the star fruit benefits without any issues. However, people with weak kidneys or with kidney diseases(3) must avoid eating it. If the toxin stays in the body, it might cause illness that starts with hiccups, seizures, and mental confusions.
Bottom Line
Carambola is one of the relished treats of nature that can get consumed in any form. The sour taste allows you to eat smaller quantities of the fruit, which is perfect and appropriate. Even smaller portions of the starfruitbenefit scan do the wonders expected from it. Store the fruit in a cold and dark place to keep them fresh and ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to Cut Star Fruit?
The star fruit is best cut cross-sectioned into star-shaped slices. Place the fruit horizontally on a chopping plate and then cut multiple slices that will look like a star-shaped fish.
2. What Does Star Fruit Taste Like?
Starfruit tastes sour predominantly. The flavor ranges from sour to sweet depending on the star fruit ripeness.
3. Can You Eat Star Fruit Skin?
You can consume whole star fruit, meaning every part, including the skin.
