STAR FRUIT!!
Mamatha K
star shaped tropical fruit with a sweet tart flavour used in sweet and savory dishes....!!!!!
Star fruit is scientifically known as Averrhoa carambola. It belongs to the family Oxalidaceae. It has many different species, namely, A. dolichocarpa, A.microphylla, A.leucopetala, A.bilimbi and A. carambola. However, A. carambola is most cultivated and exported species native to southeast Asia.1 Star fruits are juicy, crunchy and a mixture of slightly sweet and sour tastes. They are usually green when small and unripe and turn yellow when ripen. The name ‘star fruit’ was coined because of the longitudinally stretched ridges of oval-shaped carambola fruit that give the appearance of a star when cut cross-sectionally.2–4
Star fruit contains various nutrients such as vitamins (B1, B2 and C), minerals, and bioactive compounds. It is a good source of fibre and contains cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin. Star fruit may help with various diseases related to the brain, heart and stomach.1,3.
Properties of Star fruit:
The potential properties of star fruit are given as fallows:
It may be an anti-diabetic (reduces the level of glucose in the blood).
It might act as an anti-hyperlipidaemic (lowers plasma cholesterol levels)2,3 .
It may be act be a potential anti-inflammatory agent1,2 .
It may be an anti-microbial (reduces the growth of micro-organisms).
It might help as anti-cancer agent (prevents the growth of cancer cells)1,3.
It may be an anti-oxidant.
It might help with blood pressure-lowering.
It may be have an anti-ulcer (decreases the formation of ulcers) potential.
It may help with Immunity boosting4
It may be a diuretic (promotes urine formation).
It may be an anti-diarrhoeal (helps to manage diarrhoea).
1. Potential uses of star fruit for diabetes.
2. Potential uses of star fruit as an antioxidant.
3. Potential uses of star fruit for lowering cholesterol.
4. Potential uses of star fruit for inflammation.
5. Potential uses of star fruit for the heart.
How to use Star fruit?
Star fruit can be used in the following ways:
The entire star fruit is edible. It can be enjoyed in the form of juices, relishes, and preserves.
Star fruit can be eaten as jams, and in salads and used in the preparation of pickles.
The extract from the leaves of star fruit may be used as an anti-microbial and in managing eczema (inflammation of the skin), as per the prescription of an Ayurvedic physician based on your consultation with them.
Due to its ability to oxidise iron, star fruit is also used to clean and remove rust from utensils.
Side effects of star fruit:
Star fruit contains essential bioactive components oxalic acid and caramboxin, which are harmful to patients suffering from kidney diseases. Excessive consumption of star fruit can result in vomiting, hiccups (involuntary contractions of the diaphragm), mental confusion and death. It is recommended that individuals with kidney stones, kidney failure or undergoing management of dialysis should not consume star fruit. Excess consumption of star fruit could result in neurotoxicity leading to fits.3,6
Star fruit is generally considered to be safe if it is taken in the moderate amounts. However, general precautions have to be followed while consuming star fruit. Excessive intake of star fruit might cause acute kidney damage, especially if taken on an empty stomach or in dehydration. Therefore, it is not advised for elderly patients or individuals on an empty stomach to have star fruit.3 If any health-related issue appears, consult your Ayurvedic physician.
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