Health Benefits of Star Fruit
Star fruit is tropical citrus from southeast Asia, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Star fruit has several unique properties. For example, they contain high vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. They also taste sweet and tart at the same time. Star fruit has over 60 times the amount of vitamin C than the recommended intake.
Star fruit contains a lot of cancer-fighting antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent free radicals from forming inside our bodies. Free radicals cause damage to cells and have been linked to many illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and some types of cancer. Research studies suggest that consuming star fruits may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Eating two servings of star fruit each week could reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by 30%. Another study showed that star fruit inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Star fruit helps treat acid reflux or heartburn. A study has shown that eating star fruit helped prevent heartburn caused by spicy foods. Researchers believe that the fiber in star fruit helps soften and move food along the digestive tract, thereby preventing the backflow of gastric juices containing pepsin and hydrochloric acid.
People who eat two to five servings per day of star fruits have lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to those who don’t eat star fruit. Triglycerides are fatty substances in the blood that can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. Scientists hypothesize that star fruits’ fiber slows digestion, resulting in lower fat absorption. People eating more than five servings per week of star fruit were 40% less likely to suffer strokes than those who ate fewer than two servings per month. Researchers believe that high amounts of vitamin C in star fruit may play a role in helping prevent strokes. Vitamin C has been shown to keep arteries clear and flexible.