The first thing you should know about the carambola fruit is that it originates from Malayan peninsula but can now be found in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and southern United States. When it’s ripe the carambola is a yellowish fruit with a combination of sweet and sour taste. It kind of tastes like apple combined with grape, citrus and pear. It’s an amazing combination of flavors which is why many people simply adore it. Its name is carambola but most people know it as star fruit thanks to its shape.
Aside from being delicious, the fruit is low in calories (31 calories in 100gr) and it’s amazingly health beneficial. It abounds in vitamin, A, C and B, folate, riboflavin, antioxidants, niacin and minerals like zinc, iron, calcium, manganese and potassium.
Health benefits of carambola (star fruit)
Improves sleep and fights insomnia
Since it abounds in magnesium (which is essential when it comes to good night sleep and rest) the star fruit is an excellent remedy for insomnia. If you have any problems sleeping start consuming it and you’ll notice improvements immediately.
Improves your slight
The carambola is rich in vitamin C which is why it’s extra beneficial when it comes to eye health.
Improves skin quality
The carambola is rich on flavonoids and they’re extremely beneficial for your skin. It will not only improve your skin quality but it will also prevent diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, while the abundance of zinc helps with acne outbrakes.
Lowers cholesterol levels
Just like many other fruits the star fruit is rich in fiber so it’s safe to say that it can improve your heart health. The high amount of fibers helps in lowering the bad cholesterol levels which is the number one cause for clogged arteries and heart attacks. Even better, it simultaneously increases the good cholesterol levels.
Controls diabetes
The star fruit has very low amounts of sugar, which makes it an excellent snack for diabetics. Moreover, the high amount of fibers can prevent fast glucose absorption from the gut, and thus maintain constant blood sugar level during the day.
Beneficial for fetus developing
We already mentioned that it’s rich in folic acid, or vitamin B9, which makes it an excellent addition to the nutrition of pregnant women and their babies. All pregnant women know that the folic acid is essential during the first months of gestation for proper development of the neural tube and baby’s brain.
It’s recommended for breastfeeding mothers as well because it stimulates lactation.
Regulates hypertension
Since this amazing fruit is low in sodium, while rich in potassium we can conclude that it’s an excellent option for people suffering from hypertension. If you have problems with high blood pressure consume more carambolas.
Improves digestion
If you’re suffering from poor digestion it’s possible that your diet lacks the necessary fibers because they have the ability to clean your intestines and bound large amounts of water, preventing constipation. The carambola is rich in fibers which is why it’s recommended for people who have digestive issues. Just eat some carambola after a heavy meal and consume it on a regular basis and your digestive problems will be eliminated.
It has antimicrobial action
Certain studies suggest that the carambola can successfully fight infections caused by Salmonella, E.coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Boosts the immune system
The star fruit abounds in vitamin C which is why it can give your immune system a boost. This is very beneficial in protecting yourself from viral diseases like influenza, common colds, etc.
WARNING: As beneficial as the carambola fruit can be for your overall health you should know that it contains high amounts of oxalic acid and caramboxin, which can have harmful effects on people suffering from kidney diseases, kidney failure or undergoing kidney dialysis. People who suffer from any of the aforementioned conditions shouldn’t consume this fruit, because it can lead to nausea, vomiting or confusion.
Moreover, if you are taking any medications, especially statins, opiates or benzodiazepines you should be careful when consuming this fruit. Just like grapefruit, carambola can have adverse effect when combined with these drugs.
