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Three types of people should avoid eating carambola (starfruit).

Apr 08, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Starfruit contains neurotoxins. Patients with kidney disease and impaired renal function cannot effectively eliminate these toxins, which may lead to poisoning after consumption, causing symptoms such as hiccups, vomiting, and impaired consciousness, and may even worsen the condition, leading to life-threatening situations. Starfruit is cold in nature; individuals with cold deficiency in the gastrointestinal tract may experience increased internal coldness after consumption, making them more susceptible to indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

There is no saying that "three types of people should not eat carambola (starfruit)." Generally, those who should avoid eating carambola include individuals with kidney disease, cold deficiency of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes, allergic constitutions, and those currently taking specific medications.

1. Patients with kidney disease: Carambola contains neurotoxins. Patients with impaired kidney function cannot effectively eliminate these toxins from their bodies, which may lead to symptoms such as hiccups, vomiting, consciousness disorders, and may even worsen the condition, posing a risk to life.

2. Individuals with cold deficiency of the gastrointestinal tract: Carambola is cold in nature. Consumption by those with cold gastrointestinal tracts may exacerbate internal coldness, easily causing indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and impairing normal gastrointestinal function, which is detrimental to health.

3. Diabetic patients: Although carambola does not have an extremely high sugar content, its glycemic index is relatively high. Consumption by diabetic patients may lead to a rapid increase in blood glucose levels, making it difficult to maintain stable blood sugar control and potentially worsening their condition.

4. Individuals with allergic constitutions: Some people are allergic to carambola. Consumption may trigger allergic reactions such as skin itching, rashes, and oral mucosal edema. In severe cases, symptoms like difficulty breathing and anaphylactic shock may occur, requiring immediate medical treatment.

5. Individuals currently taking specific medications: Carambola may interact with certain medications. For example, taking it with antihypertensive drugs may cause excessively low blood pressure; taking it with sedative-hypnotic drugs may enhance the sedative effects and increase the risk of adverse reactions. Therefore, individuals taking these medications should consume carambola cautiously.

It is recommended to consume carambola in moderation according to individual conditions and avoid excessive intake. It is also important to develop good lifestyle habits, avoid excessive fatigue, and refrain from strenuous exercise to prevent physical discomfort.

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