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===Risks===
===Risks===
Carambola is a fairly complex fruit with many benefits, but like strawberries, a small percentage of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons. Like the grapefruit, carambola contains [[oxalic acid]], which can be harmful to individuals suffering from [[kidney]] failure, kidney stones, or those under kidney dialysis treatment. Consumption by those with kidney failure can produce hiccups, vomiting, nausea, and mental confusion. Fatal outcomes have been documented in some patients.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Neto MM, Robl F, Netto JC|title=Intoxication by star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in six dialysis patients? (''Preliminary report'')|journal=Nephrol Dial Transplant|year=1998|volume=13|issue=3|pages=570–2|pmid=9550629|doi=10.1093/ndt/13.3.570}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Chang JM, Hwang SJ, Kuo HT, ''et al.''|title=Fatal outcome after ingestion of star fruit (''Averrhoa carambola'') in uremic patients|journal=Am J Kidney Dis|year=2000|volume=35|pages=189–93|pmid=10676715|doi=10.1016/S0272-6386(00)70325-8|issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Chang CT, Chen YC, Fang JT, Huang CC|title=Star fruit (''Averrhoa carambola'') intoxication: an important cause of consciousness disturbance in patients with renal failure|journal=Ren Fail|year=2002|volume=24|issue=3|pages=379–82|pmid=12166706|doi=10.1081/JDI-120005373}}</ref><ref name="Neto2003">{{cite journal|author=Neto MM, da Costa JA, Garcia-Cairasco N, Netto JC, Nakagawa B, Dantas M|title=Intoxication by star fruit (''Averrhoa carambola'') in 32 uraemic patients: treatment and outcome|journal=Nephrol Dial Transplant|year=2003|volume=18|issue=1|pages=120–5|pmid=12480969|doi=10.1093/ndt/18.1.120}}</ref><ref name="Chen2005">{{cite journal|author=Chen LL, Fang JT, Lin JL|title=Chronic renal disease patients with severe star fruit [[poison]]ing: hemoperfusion may be an effective alternative therapy|journal=Clin Toxicol (Phila)|year=2005|volume=43|issue=3|pages=197–9|pmid=15902795}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nutritionatc.hawaii.edu/HO/2003/202.htm|title=Kidney patients should avoid star fruit|author=Titchenal A &amp; Dobbs J|publisher=Nutrition ATC|date=2003-04-28|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref>
Carambola is a fairly complex fruit with many benefits, but like strawberries, a small percentage of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons. Like the grapefruit, carambola contains [[oxalic acid]], which can be harmful to individuals suffering from [[kidney]] failure, kidney stones, or those under kidney dialysis treatment. Consumption by those with kidney failure can produce hiccups, vomiting, nausea, and mental confusion. Fatal outcomes have been documented in some patients.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Neto MM, Robl F, Netto JC|title=Intoxication by star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in six dialysis patients? (''Preliminary report'')|journal=Nephrol Dial Transplant|year=1998|volume=13|issue=3|pages=570–2|pmid=9550629|doi=10.1093/ndt/13.3.570}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Chang JM, Hwang SJ, Kuo HT, ''et al.''|title=Fatal outcome after ingestion of star fruit (''Averrhoa carambola'') in uremic patients|journal=Am J Kidney Dis|year=2000|volume=35|pages=189–93|pmid=10676715|doi=10.1016/S0272-6386(00)70325-8|issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Chang CT, Chen YC, Fang JT, Huang CC|title=Star fruit (''Averrhoa carambola'') intoxication: an important cause of consciousness disturbance in patients with renal failure|journal=Ren Fail|year=2002|volume=24|issue=3|pages=379–82|pmid=12166706|doi=10.1081/JDI-120005373}}</ref><ref name="Neto2003">{{cite journal|author=Neto MM, da Costa JA, Garcia-Cairasco N, Netto JC, Nakagawa B, Dantas M|title=Intoxication by star fruit (''Averrhoa carambola'') in 32 uraemic patients: treatment and outcome|journal=Nephrol Dial Transplant|year=2003|volume=18|issue=1|pages=120–5|pmid=12480969|doi=10.1093/ndt/18.1.120}}</ref><ref name="Chen2005">{{cite journal|author=Chen LL, Fang JT, Lin JL|title=Chronic renal disease patients with severe star fruit [[poison]]ing: hemoperfusion may be an effective alternative therapy|journal=Clin Toxicol (Phila)|year=2005|volume=43|issue=3|pages=197–9|pmid=15902795}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nutritionatc.hawaii.edu/HO/2003/202.htm|title=Kidney patients should avoid star fruit|author=Titchenal A &amp; Dobbs J|publisher=Nutrition ATC|date=2003-04-28|accessdate=2008-10-16}}</ref> im an amazing colorful starfruit


===Drug interactions===
===Drug interactions===

Revision as of 14:58, 18 February 2011

This article is about the plant. For the cue sport, see Carom billiards.
File:Big-bilimbi.jpg
Carambola Fruit

Carambola, or starfruit, is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to the Philippines (where they are called balimbing or saranate, depending on their sourness), Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. The tree and its fruit are popular throughout Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and parts of East Asia. The tree is also cultivated throughout the tropics, such as in Peru, Colombia, Trinidad, Ecuador, Guyana, Dominican Republic and Brazil, and, in the United States, in south Florida and Hawaii. The carambola should not be confused with the closely related bilimbi, which is also called belimbing in Indonesia.

The fruit has ridges running down its sides (usually five) which in cross-section resembles a star, hence its name. The number of ridges can vary from three[1] to six.[2]

Origins and distribution

The carambola has been grown in parts of Asia for hundreds of years — it may have originated in Sri Lanka or Moluccas, Indonesia. Malaysia is the global leader in starfruit production by volume and ships the product all over Asia and Europe.

Due to concerns on pests and pathogens, however, whole starfruits cannot yet be imported to the US from Malaysia under current FDA/USDA regulation. In the United States, starfruits are grown in tropical and semitropical areas, including Florida, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.[3][4][5][6]

Gastronomy

Vertical, side and cross section profiles of ripe carambolas
Carambola, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy128 kJ (31 kcal)
6.73 g
Sugars3.98 g
Dietary fiber2.8 g
.33 g
1.04 g
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Pantothenic acid (B5)
8%
.39 mg
Folate (B9)
3%
12 μg
Vitamin C
38%
34.4 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Phosphorus
1%
12 mg
Potassium
4%
133 mg
Zinc
1%
.12 mg
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[7] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[8]

The fruit is entirely edible, including the slightly waxy skin. The flesh is crunchy, firm, and extremely juicy. The texture is similar in consistency to grapes.

Carambolas are best consumed when ripe, when they are yellow with a light shade of green. They will also have brown ridges at the five edges and feel firm. Overripe starfruit will be yellow with brown spots and can become soggier in consistency.

Ripe carambolas are sweet without being overwhelming, and has a tart, sour undertone. The taste is difficult to compare, but it has been likened to a mix of apple, pear and citrus family fruits all at once.[9] Unripe starfruits are firmer, sour, and taste like green apples.[10]

Health

Benefits

Carambolas in varying stages of ripeness

Carambola is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and low in sugar, sodium and acid. It is also a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants.[11] A. carambola has both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities: scavenging of NO by the fruit extract is dependent on concentration and stage of ripening. Extracts showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.[citation needed]

Risks

Carambola is a fairly complex fruit with many benefits, but like strawberries, a small percentage of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons. Like the grapefruit, carambola contains oxalic acid, which can be harmful to individuals suffering from kidney failure, kidney stones, or those under kidney dialysis treatment. Consumption by those with kidney failure can produce hiccups, vomiting, nausea, and mental confusion. Fatal outcomes have been documented in some patients.[12][13][14][15][16][17] im an amazing colorful starfruit

Drug interactions

Like the grapefruit, carambola is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven cytochrome P450 isoforms.[18][19] These enzymes are significant in the first-pass elimination of many medicines, and thus, the consumption of carambola or its juice in combination with certain medications can significantly increase their effective dosage within the body. Research into grapefruit juice has identified a number of common medications affected, including statins, which are commonly used to treat cardiovascular illness, and benzodiazepines (a tranquilizer family including diazepam).[20]

Cultivation

Ripening carambolas still on the tree

The carambola is a tropical and subtropical fruit. In India, it is called kamrak, and can be grown at up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in elevation. It prefers full sun exposure, but requires enough humidity and a total of 70 inches or more of rainfall a year. It does not have a soil type preference, but it requires good drainage.

Carambola trees are planted at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from each other and typically are fertilized three times a year. The tree grows rapidly and typically produces fruit at four or five years of age. The large amount of rain during spring actually reduces the amount of fruit, but, in ideal conditions, carambola can produce from 200 to 400 pounds (91 to 181 kg) of fruit a year. The fruit is harvested mainly during the months of June, July, and August, but sometimes year-round.

Major pests are fruit flies, ants, and birds. Crops are also susceptible to frosts, especially in the United States.

  • Video game designer Tetsuya Nomura based the Paopu Fruit in Kingdom Hearts off the carambola.
  • Famous manga author Mine Yoshizaki uses the carambola in his popular manga/anime Keroro Gunso, where they are almost always referred to as starfruit.
  • In the Philippines, the starfruit is called balimbing in Tagalog. In modern Tagalog usage, because of the multifaceted balimbing, the name developed into a slang term for an insincere or hypocritical person, akin to the English term two-faced.

References

  1. ^ Star Fruit Season
  2. ^ Star Fruits, Exotic Fruits
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ Tropical fruits: Star fruit
  5. ^ Carambola
  6. ^ CARAMBOLA Fruit Facts
  7. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  8. ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  9. ^ How does star fruit taste?
  10. ^ How do you know if a star fruit is ripe and how is star fruit eaten?
  11. ^ Shui G, Leong LP (2004). "Analysis of polyphenolic antoxidants in star fruit using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy". Journal of Chromatography. 1022 (1–2): 67–75. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2003.09.055. PMID 14753772.
  12. ^ Neto MM, Robl F, Netto JC (1998). "Intoxication by star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in six dialysis patients? (Preliminary report)". Nephrol Dial Transplant. 13 (3): 570–2. doi:10.1093/ndt/13.3.570. PMID 9550629.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Chang JM, Hwang SJ, Kuo HT; et al. (2000). "Fatal outcome after ingestion of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in uremic patients". Am J Kidney Dis. 35 (2): 189–93. doi:10.1016/S0272-6386(00)70325-8. PMID 10676715. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Chang CT, Chen YC, Fang JT, Huang CC (2002). "Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) intoxication: an important cause of consciousness disturbance in patients with renal failure". Ren Fail. 24 (3): 379–82. doi:10.1081/JDI-120005373. PMID 12166706.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Neto MM, da Costa JA, Garcia-Cairasco N, Netto JC, Nakagawa B, Dantas M (2003). "Intoxication by star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in 32 uraemic patients: treatment and outcome". Nephrol Dial Transplant. 18 (1): 120–5. doi:10.1093/ndt/18.1.120. PMID 12480969.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Chen LL, Fang JT, Lin JL (2005). "Chronic renal disease patients with severe star fruit poisoning: hemoperfusion may be an effective alternative therapy". Clin Toxicol (Phila). 43 (3): 197–9. PMID 15902795.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Titchenal A & Dobbs J (2003-04-28). "Kidney patients should avoid star fruit". Nutrition ATC. Retrieved 2008-10-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Abstracts: Metabolism and metabolic enzymes studies for the 8th National Congress on Drug and Xenobiotic Metabolism in China
  19. ^ Potential Drug-Food Interactions with Pomegranate Juice
  20. ^ P450 Table
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