Ay, caramba? No, CARAMBOLA! Also known as STAR FRUIT, it's the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree. I show you a MAXICARD from USA, from my good friend Terry

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Averrhoa_carambola_ARS_k5735-7.jpg

File:Carambola Starfruit.jpg

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[edit]Summary

Description	English: Ripe Carambolas, or starfruit, the fruit of Averrhoa carambola tree: vertical, side and cross section profiles. The fruit in cross-section is a five-pointed star, hence its name.
Date	24 October 2010
Source	Own work
Author	SMasters
Permission (Reusing this file)	See below.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Carambola_Starfruit.jpg

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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.^[6] 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]}

[edit]Risks

Carambola is a fairly complex fruit with many benefits, but like strawberries^{[citation needed]}, a small percentage of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons. 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.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

[edit]Drug interactions

Like the grapefruit, carambola is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven cytochrome P450 isoforms.^[13][14] 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).^[15]"

^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_fruit}

^{http://thaifood.about.com/od/introtothaicooking/ss/starfruithowto.htm}

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