Star fruit is a tropical fruit that has strong flavor and is very amazingly beautiful in shape, having star-shaped appearance. The fruit is normally taken fresh, for juice, or for decoration because of the special flavors of the fruit. In fact, few people are aware of the fact that the same fruit is quite lethal if consumed in large amounts for your body. Despite being full of nutrition there are instances that having more of this healthy food may lead to some incredibly stunning and tough health complications.
What is Star Fruit? Nutritional Overview
Nutritional Benefits of Star Fruit
The star fruit is not only great in appearance but holds important nutrients as well. It richly consists of vitamin C and fiber, which helps improve immunity, encourages digestion, and also acts as a free radical combatter. It also contributes to health as it contains potassium and other important vitamins. Low in calorie, it is great for those who need something refreshing and healthy.
Star fruit, on the other hand, contains some compounds that can be harmful when excessively consumed. One such compound is oxalate, which is detrimental to your kidney health, especially if the individual has pre-existing diseases about the kidneys. Another situation is that excessive consumption of star fruit may lead to undesirable and dangerous overconsumption symptoms, hence a call for moderation.
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Unfavourable Aftermath of Overingesting Star Fruit
Formation of Kidney Diseases
Star fruits can be highly poisonous in large amounts to the renal tissues. Star fruits possess high levels of oxalates, which are harmful to the kidneys, especially when a person is already afflicted by issues with the kidneys. In severe instances, excessive ingestion of star fruit may lead to stones in the kidneys and acute kidney injury. Even minute portions of star fruits would be hazardous if taken by someone who has issues with their kidneys, resulting in a toxic buildup in their body.
Neurological Effects
Other than kidney damage, excessive consumption of star fruit ravages the nervous system. Possible symptoms include hiccup spasms, disorientation, and, in extreme cases, seizure. These neurological symptoms are believed to be caused by toxins in the fruit that the body cannot metabolize, although if the kidneys fail to filter such toxins from the body, this would logically be so. To someone afflicted with a kidney disorder, an almost insignificant amount of star fruit is more than enough to cause neurological disturbances.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Star fruit can also cause gastrointestinal upset when taken in large measure. It has high-level fiber that is often healthy for digestion, but if taken in large quantity it causes stomach lump, gas and stomach ache. Some will even react with nausea or vomiting from excess consumption of this fruit. Such symptoms, though mild, are very annoying and take time to wear off.
Allergic Reactions
It may develop an allergic reaction upon consumption. This type of allergic reaction from this fruit may result in swelling of mouth, tongue, and other respiratory passages. It may also cause one to experience running nose, sneezing, and itching. The condition is almost always mild and rarely has chronic effects on the body.
Other than that, less common, some people react allergically to star fruit. In some cases, allergic reactions may be as tiny as itching or rashes, but sometimes it may also lead to serious complications, such as acute difficulty in breathing or swelling. In all cases, if after eating star fruit you observed any allergic symptoms, go see a medical professional to determine whether you should avoid this fruit further.
Who is Most Vulnerable from Star Fruit Overconsumption?
People suffering from kidney diseases are the most susceptible to side effects brought about by star fruit. In their system, their kidneys might not clean the toxins of the fruit effectively hence even a small part of the fruit can cause serious symptoms, some of which include confusion, fits, and other complications related to kidneys. People suffering from kidney problems should avoid star fruit completely unless prescribed by doctors.
How much star fruit one can consume is determined by an individual because, to some, this will be the first time they are taking the fruit, but others may have the history of food allergies. Some reports in the past have indicated that star fruit can cause allergic reactions on sensitive tropical fruits. One can test how much of it the body can tolerate by starting with a small portion.
How Much Star Fruit is Safe to Eat?
Although star fruit is relatively harmless to the majority of people in modest amounts, it should be taken in small amounts. For the normal adult with sound kidneys, one to two star fruits consumed daily should pose no problems. However, if you have not tried star fruit before or are concerned about the fruit, you should start with half a fruit just to know how your body would react to it.
The body might give you some clear signals in case you have overindulged in star fruit. It could be that it develops the following symptoms: discomfort in the stomach, hiccups, or an unusual bout of nausea. At a much worse level, it could give you neurological signs such as confusion or difficulty concentrating. In case these symptoms persist, it’s best to avoid star fruits for a while and get your self seen by a healthcare provider.
Can Star Fruit Be Added into the Healthy Diet?
This fruit is absolutely okay to be eaten in moderation for a balanced diet. Moreover, this nutrient-rich fruit offers several health benefits through richness in vitamin C and minerals such as potassium. Furthermore, the lack of bitterness makes this fruit the best introduction to making dishes, while its unique flavor is without doubt a great enhancer of many foods. Thus, its overconsumption should definitely be avoided, especially among people with various health conditions.
For the star fruit lovers, here are some simple dos that could help you enjoy them safely: wash the fruit properly and, if you have a kidney problem, don’t eat it at all. If you are unsure of your tolerance, start with just a small serving and always observe how your body reacts to it.
