The Best Fruit in the World
Starfruit has a lot to offer beyond how pretty it looks. And it didn’t get its name just because of its shape. It truly is a star because of how amazingly good it is for you.
Boosts Your Fibre Intake
If you’re watching your carb intake, you’ll definitely want to stock up on starfruit as it has one of the lowest carbohydrate contents of all fruits for the amount of fibre it contains – one cup of cubed starfruit has only 9 grams of carbs and 3.7 grams of fibre. In comparison, one cup of strawberries contains 11.7 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fibre. You need fibre to keep your bowels regular, as it helps move food through the digestive tract and prevent constipation. So if you want to spend less time on the toilet surfing on your smartphone, be sure to grab some starfruit the next time you go to the supermarket!
Vitamins & Minerals Galore
Starfruit is also a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, selenium, copper, and zinc. One cup of starfruit provides 45 milligrams of vitamin C—more than half the daily required 75-90 milligrams for most adults—which our body needs to produce collagen, repair tissue damage and heal wounds.
A Whole Lot of Other Good Stuff
Studies suggest that starfruit can potentially help fight against cancer as it contains antioxidants. It is also good for our hearts: its potassium lowers blood pressure, fibre helps bring down cholesterol levels, and vitamin C protects against oxidative stress. The fibre in starfruit can also help control blood sugar levels by slowing down food digestion and preventing blood sugar from spiking. Since starfruit is so rich in fibre and low in calories, adding it to your diet can help you manage your weight better and reduce your risk of diabetes.
Available Year-Round
Here in Singapore, we are very fortunate to be able to find starfruit at all times of the year. The best time to consume starfruit is when it’s bright yellow and firm. Green ones aren’t ripe and might be too sour for some.
Precautions
Those with impaired kidney function should be careful about consuming starfruit though. Starfruit contains a neurotoxin that can harm the brain if it is not properly processed by the kidneys.