The Health Benefits Of Star Fruit

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a paltry 1 in 10 American adults consumes the recommended amount of fruit or vegetables every day. In general, it is federally recommended that adults consume 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruits per day at a minimum. 

You might wonder how to tell the difference between fruits and vegetables, and what health benefits fruits can offer in general. Healthline says that fruits and vegetables have several different defining features. For example, fruits come from the flower of the plant and have seeds, while vegetables may come from leaves, roots, and stems. So that means that you cannot pawn off a tomato as a vegetable, because botanically it is a fruit — seeds and all.

In general, fruits have many health benefits. First off, fruits contain abundant amounts of fiber that may contribute to a number of beneficial health effects like helping you feel full, reducing cholesterol levels, and weight management (via Healthline). Fruits are also filled with antioxidants in addition to essential vitamins. There is a wide variety of fruit to choose from, so it can be difficult to decide which one you want to eat. Here's everything you need to know about one type of fruit that can benefit your health.

Star fruit is a yellow-green colored fruit that is pragmatically named after the five-pointed star shape it takes when cut open (via Medical News Today). Star fruit contains many minerals and vitamins like calcium, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Notably, the human body cannot produce vitamin C, so star fruit is a great source of it. According to Healthline, star fruit also contain compounds that are potent antioxidants like epicatechin, gallic acid, and quercetin. There's even evidence from animal research that star fruit may contain anti-inflammatory properties.

WebMD says that star fruit may be able to help the body lower the levels of toxins in it, which may have anti-cancer effects. Plus, the dose of vitamin C may help boost your immunity. Finally, star fruit contains electrolytes like potassium and sodium, which can help keep the heart healthy and functioning properly. But for all of its health benefits, Healthline recommends against the consumption of star fruit for those with kidney issues because of the fruit's high levels of oxalate — which can lead to kidney damage and in extreme cases death. If you have kidney problems, be sure to talk with your doctor before you try star fruit.