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Vitamins in Starfruit

Native to Moluccas and Indonesia, starfruit, or Carambola, is grown in many tropical areas now, according to HealthAliciousNess.com. A cup of starfruit has 1.37 grams of protein, 41 calories and 3.7 grams of dietary fiber according to Health Alternatives. The fruit is high in vitamin C. Other vitamins within the fruit include E, folate and niacin. It is not recommended for those with kidney problems or those that are taking medication to eat starfruit since it increases the medicine's absorption.

  1. Vtiamin C

    • Vitamin C is the prominent vitamin in starfruit. An average size of fruit--100 grams--has 57 percent of the nutrient, according to HealthAliciousNess.com. Sixty mg per day are needed by adults and 45 to 50 mg per day for children.

      Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins since it protects the body's cells as an antioxidant. Protecting the body from free radicals means you are less likely to develop cancer or cardiovascular disease, according to Health Alternatives.

    Potassium

    • One cup of starfruit has 176 mg of potassium, according to Health Alternatives. Approximately 2,000 mg per day of the potassium are needed by adults and adolescents. Potassium is important for the body's growth and maintenance as it plays an important role in water balance and heart function. A deficiency in potassium can cause muscle cramps, weakness, insomnia, along with kidney and lung failure.

    Phosphorus

    • A cup of nutritious starfruit has 16 mg of phosphorus, according to Health Alternatives. Adults need 700 mg per day of the nutrient, while children need 500 to 1,250 mg. With calcium, phosphorus helps maintain bone, teeth and nerve cell health.

    Folate

    • A cup of starfruit delivers 16 mg of folate to our body. Folate and folic acid are types of vitamin B9. Most adults need at least 400 mcgs of folate per day. Children need 150 to 300 mcg per day.

      Folate is needed to form red blood cells and parts of the nervous system. It is a very important vitamin for those trying to conceive and for pregnant women as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects and helps cell formation in the embryo according to Health Alternatives.

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