Starfruit poses a severe health risk to people with kidney disease due to a natural neurotoxin that failing organs cannot filter, [health.clevelandclinic.org] reported.
Cutting the tropical fruit crosswise yields a star-shaped slice with a sweet-and-tart flavor, but medical centers warn that the food is not safe for everyone.
The oblong fruit, also known as carambola, features an exterior ranging from green to yellow-orange. Inside, the juicy flesh offers a taste comparable to a mix of pear, grape, and orange. Beth Czerwony, a registered dietitian, explained that consumers can eat the skin and seeds, though most people remove the seeds before consumption.
The same portion provides 8.8 grams of carbohydrates, 1.4 grams of protein, and 5.3 grams of sugar.
The fruit also supplies copper, calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc. Czerwony said that starfruit functions as a nutrient-rich food rather than a medical treatment. Getting enough vitamin C helps the immune system work at its best, she told [health.clevelandclinic.org].
The vitamin C in starfruit helps the body make collagen and protects cells from free radical damage. One cup of the cubed fruit also delivers 3.7 grams of dietary fiber to support digestion.
“The fiber in starfruit can act as a beneficial fuel for the bacteria in your colon,” Czerwony told [health.clevelandclinic.org]. Limited research indicates potential benefits for cholesterol management, while early research points to possible anti-inflammatory effects.
Starfruit contains oxalic acid and a neurotoxin named caramboxin. Healthy kidneys filter these substances, but impaired kidneys allow the toxin to accumulate and cause nervous system damage.
“If you have kidney problems, don’t eat it unless your healthcare provider says it’s safe,” Czerwony told [health.clevelandclinic.org]. Severe toxicity can trigger seizures or prove fatal. Patients with kidney disease, kidney stones, or kidney failure requiring dialysis must avoid the fruit entirely.
Anyone diagnosed with kidney disease, kidney stones, or kidney failure requiring dialysis must avoid starfruit because damaged kidneys cannot filter out the natural neurotoxin caramboxin.
The juicy interior offers a sweet-and-tart flavor profile comparable to a combination of pear, grape, and orange.
Yes, starfruit can alter how the body breaks down certain medications, including specific cancer drugs, according to Cleveland Clinic dietitians.
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