Carambola or star fruit is one of the popular exotic fruits for its wealth of nutrients. It is a crunchy, juicy fruit with a sweet and tart flavour, comes in two varieties a smaller one which is sour and a larger sweeter one.  It is scientifically termed as Averrhoa carambola and the species is a native tree to South East tropical countries - Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines and also cultivated commercially in India. The fruit shaped like a five-point star, when cut looks like a star, hence it is named as star fruit.

The fruit is familiar as beliming manis or baliming in South East Asian parts and kamrakh in Hindi, ambanamkaya in Telugu, thambaratham in Tamil and vairapulli in Malayalam. Carambola or star fruit can be relished as juice, smoothies’ jams and pickled.

Star fruit comes with a rich array of essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B5, B9 (folate) and minerals zinc, sodium, magnesium, copper and potassium. It is relatively low in calories providing 28 calories and 6 grams of carbs per serving. Star fruit is loaded with umpteen amounts of antioxidants like quercetin, gallic acid, proanthocyanins and epicatechin. The powerful antioxidant properties in star fruit are beneficial in lowering inflammation, cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of fatty liver.

Health Benefits Of Star Fruit

Lowers Cholesterol

Carambola fruit is loaded with dietary fibre that helps in flushing out fat and cholesterol. Evidence shows that the hypolipidemic effect of carambola fruits is effective in preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver. The host of plant compounds such as flavonoids, phytosterols, saponins and phytochemicals in this star fruit uses fats as a source of energy and thus clears the excess cholesterol out of the body and lowers the risk of heart disease.

Prevents Cancer

A study published in the journal Pharmacological Sciences reveals that star fruit functions as a potent natural supplement in preventing cancer. The ripe fruit is a storehouse of antioxidants and even the peel of star fruit possesses strong anticancerous properties. Being rich in fibre star fruit cleanses the colon, clears out the toxins, and lowers the risk of colon cancer.

Promotes Digestion

The richness of natural dietary fiber in star fruit functions well to ease the symptoms of constipation, and lowers bloating, flatulence, cramping, and diarrhea. In addition, star fruit aids in the proper assimilation of nutrients and increases the bioavailability of essential vitamins and minerals. Evidence shows that carambola leaves decoction is used to treat inflammation, by flushing out the toxins and bacteria causing inflammation of the gut. Ripe star fruit and leaves serve as a gut-friendly natural remedy to keep digestive problems at bay.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Evidence strongly reveals that carambola leaf extracts inhibit the contraction of blood vessels, improve blood circulation throughout the body, and avert the rise in blood pressure. This is extremely beneficial in maintaining a normal BP range and stalling any fluctuations in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The host of plant compounds such as flavonoids, phytochemicals, and saponins also exhibits blood pressure-lowering effects.

Sustains Weight Loss

Starfruit is one of the preferred choices of fruit for all dieters as it is low in calories and dense in fibre. The presence of a good amount of fiber boosts metabolism keeps you satiated, curbs appetite, and helps in losing weight.

Skin Benefits Of Carambola

Fights Early Signs Of Ageing

In addition to its numerous health benefits, star fruit, or carambola, also offers a range of beauty benefits that make it a sought-after ingredient in skincare routines. The rich content of antioxidants like quercetin and gallic acid, combined with vitamins B and C, provides skin nourishment. The antioxidants also help combat free radicals, that can otherwise accelerate the ageing process and contribute to skin damage.

Promotes Youthful Complexion

Regular consumption of star fruit or its application on the skin can help promote a youthful complexion by reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. The fruit's anti-inflammatory properties can also soothe irritated skin, making it particularly beneficial for those with acne-prone skin.

Keeps Skin Problems At Bay

The astringent properties of star fruit help to tighten pores and improve skin texture, giving it a radiant appearance. When used topically, star fruit juice or pulp can act as a natural toner, helping to balance the skin's pH levels and control excess oil production.

Contraindications

Starfruit is generally not safe for people suffering from kidney ailments, as it is rich in oxalates which may lead to kidney damage. People with kidney problems should consult the doctor before consuming the fruit.

References:

Nutritional and medicinal properties of Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola): A review

Kasun Lakmal, 1 Pamodh Yasawardene, 1 Umesh Jayarajah,corresponding author 1 and Suranjith L Seneviratnecorresponding author 1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7958541/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8407000/