Carambola Fruit – Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

The carambola, often known as the star fruit, is a well-liked exotic fruit. It is available in two sizes, one smaller and more sour and the other larger and sweeter, and both are crisp and juicy with a sweet and acidic flavour. As a species of tree known by its scientific name, Averrhoa carambola, it is indigenous to the tropical Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and it is also commercially farmed in India. The star fruit gets its name because, when cut open, it resembles a star.

What is carambola fruit? 

Carambola, or star fruit, is the edible fruit of the Averrhoa carambola tree. Star fruit is commonly available all around the world, but it thrives in tropical regions like India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Unripe carambola fruit has a deep green colour, but once it reaches maturity, it transforms into a bright, shiny yellow. Star fruit, when ripe, has a sweet and somewhat tangy flavour, and is meaty, crisp, and juicy. When compared to larger star fruits, smaller ones tend to be more sour.

The fruit is called a "star fruit" because, when sliced horizontally, it looks like a star.

Nutritional value of carambola fruit:

Carambola fruit has a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, including A, C, B5, B9 (folate), and the electrolytes sodium, magnesium, potassium, and copper. Per serving, you get only 28 calories and 6 grams of carbohydrates, making it a healthy option. Several types of antioxidants, including quercetin, gallic acid, proanthocyanidins, and epicatechin, can be found in abundance in star fruit. Star fruit's potent antioxidant capabilities help reduce inflammation, cholesterol, and the risk of fatty liver.

Health benefits of Carambola fruit:

Reduces Blood Cholesterol

The carambola fruit's high fibre content aids in the excretion of excess fat and cholesterol. Research demonstrates that the hypolipidemic impact of carambola fruits is useful in preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver. This superfruit's panoply of plant ingredients, including flavonoids, phytosterols, saponins, and phytochemicals, converts fats into energy, flushing out excess cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.

The ripe fruit is rich in antioxidants, and the peel of the star fruit, too, has potent anticancer properties. The high fibre content of star fruit helps to eliminate waste from the digestive tract, flush out toxins, and reduce the danger of developing colon cancer.

Aids in Stomach Disintegration

Star fruit's natural dietary fibre helps reduce bloating, gas, cramps, and diarrhoea, among other gastrointestinal discomforts. Moreover, star fruit facilitates digestion and improves the body's ability to absorb nutrients, making more of those vital vitamins and minerals available to the body. There is some evidence that a decoction made from carambola leaves can be used to reduce inflammation by removing the toxins and germs that contribute to the condition. The ripe star fruit and its leaves can be used as a natural remedy for gastrointestinal issues.

Maintains blood pressure 

Carambola leaf extracts have been shown to reduce blood pressure, increase overall blood flow, and prevent the narrowing of blood arteries that can lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure. As a result, your systolic and diastolic blood pressure are more likely to remain within a healthy range and to stop fluctuating. Blood pressure can be lowered by a variety of plant compounds, including flavonoids, phytochemicals, and saponins.

Helps you maintain a healthy weight

Because of its low calorie content and high fibre content, star fruit is a popular fruit among dieters. High fibre content aids weight loss by increasing metabolic rate, decreasing food intake, and keeping you feeling full.

Precaution:

Star fruit is high in oxalates, which can be toxic to the kidneys, thus it shouldn't be consumed by anyone with kidney problems. Those who have kidney issues should get medical clearance before eating the fruit.

How to eat Carambola fruit?

When ripe, the flavour of star fruit really shines. An unripe star fruit's flavour may be very sour, bordering on bitter.

Let a star fruit with green ribs mature until it becomes yellow before eating it. Let the fruit sit out at room temperature, turned occasionally, until its fragrant "perfume" emerges. If the fruit has a rich floral-fruity scent, it will have the best flavour.

If you plan on serving the fruit within the next day or two, it can be kept out of the refrigerator. If you don't want the ripe fruit to go bad quickly, store it in the fridge.

Culinary application of Carambola fruit:

 To cook star fruit, just do as follows:

1. Washing it with water to clean it
2. Paring off the excess
3. Skin that isn't peeled
4. By horizontally slicing it
5. The fruit works well with avocados, kiwis, mangoes, and bananas, so feel free to experiment with those combinations as well whether serving a fruit salad or making a puree.
6. Slices of star fruit can be sauteed for a few seconds and then glazed with sugar to use as a tasty garnish. Use in place of lemon or lime slices to garnish cold drinks, or pair with fish and poultry.