Dragon fruit or starfruit are from the citrus family. It grows on a tree and has thin edible waxy skin. The flavor is lightly sweet, and a little tart with a taste that combines elements of grape, apple, and citrus.
To put it simply, you should know that star fruit is sweet, with a slight hint of acidity. For many, its flavor is reminiscent of certain citrus fruits such as orange, grapefruit, or lemon, and others think the contrary that it is close to pineapple. The dragon fruit flavor is extremely sweet and with a touch reminiscent of kiwi or papaya, and even avocado.
The carambola is a small exotic fruit, which takes the shape of a 5-pointed star when cut. Derived from the carambola tree, this star-shaped fruit grows in a hot and humid climate, such as in tropical countries.
Similarity Table Between Dragon Fruit & Star Fruit
| Dragon Fruit | Star Fruit | |
| Provides vitamin C and A, vitamins B1, B2, B3 | Made mostly of water, pitahaya contains important minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and countless vitamins (B1, B2, B3, and C) perfect for keeping our body healthy. In fact, it is particularly indicated for people with high cholesterol and those concerned about strengthening their immune system. | Vitamin C plays a role in the formation of collagen, bones, teeth, red blood cell formation, and resistance to infection. Vitamin A is vital for vision, healthy hair, skin, and mucous membranes, as well as for the proper functioning of your immune system. |
| Hydrated | Pitaya, a diuretic, is also a fruit that prevents you from retaining liquids and keeps you hydrated. | The carambola or star fruit is a juicy, crispy pulp, light yellow color, and acid flavor. It has few seeds and is also low in calories (it contains a lot of water and is very low in fat). |
| vitamin C in both fruits | It is rich in vitamin C and is considered an antioxidant fruit. This means it can delay the effects of aging. It reduces the chance of developing chronic degenerative or cardiovascular diseases. | That vitamin C is involved in the formation of collagen, bones and teeth, and red blood cells, as well as promoting resistance to infections and iron absorption. |
| Good for weight loss diets | If you want to lose weight, it will be one of your best allies because its caloric profile is minimal. | Carambola, being a fruit rich in water and low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates, is ideal for inclusion in weight control diets. People who don’t follow a strict diet can still enjoy it, as they have low caloric intake. |
| It has laxative properties | The 60% of pulp from this exotic fruit contains seeds, which improves the intestinal process and prevents constipation. | The pulp of this fruit, having soluble fiber, has the advantage of having laxative properties, which makes it very good to take in people who suffer from constipation. In short, we can consider this fruit as a natural laxative. |
| hypertension, heart and blood vessels | Captin is the dominant component in the seeds of the dragon fruit or pitaya, and it reduces the risk of arrhythmias, in addition to improving the functioning of the heart. | This fruit is characterized by a low intake of carbohydrates, which makes it a good food to be eaten by people with diabetes, as well as being rich in potassium. which makes it ideal for high blood pressure and conditions of both blood vessels and the heart. |
| Deficiencies of vitamins | By providing us with both vitamins, this fruit is recommended for the entire population and especially for those at risk of suffering from deficiencies in these vitamins. In our diet, it is the only source of vitamin C, and people who do not tolerate citrus fruits or other vegetables may find that it’s an excellent source of vitamin C as well. or simply people with increased nutritional needs (growth stage, pregnancy, breastfeeding, smoking, stress, cancer, AIDS, increased physical activity. | Although the carambola is a relatively unknown fruit, it has nutritional properties, antioxidants, and an appearance that can be a great ally for your health. It is recommended for all ages, including children, adolescents, adults, athletes, and pregnant women, as well as nursing mothers, and the elderly. |
| Potassium vs. Manganese | The high-nutrient, low-calorie dragon fruit may prove beneficial in fighting chronic diseases, improving digestive health, and increasing immunity. It is rich in fiber, as well as many vitamins and minerals such as iron and manganese. Dragon fruit has many health benefits, including its ability to help with weight loss, diabetes management, digestion, and lowering cholesterol and energy levels. It can also protect against certain types of cancers and heart disease. | Within the mineral content of this fruit, potassium stands out, which is necessary for both the transmission and generation of the nerve impulse, for normal muscle activity, and is the main responsible for hydration and cell regulation. |
Characteristics of the Pitaya
Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, is an exotic fruit that has a vivid color. It can be dark red, pink, or yellow. The interior can be either white or pink depending on which variety of cactus it comes from.
It is a member of the Cactaceae family and is commonly grown in tropical countries.
There are three varieties of pitaya, namely white-fleshed pitaya with yellow peel (Selenicereus megalathus), white-fleshed pitaya with red peel (Hylocereus undatus), and red-fleshed pitaya with red peel (Hylocereus polyrhizus). The fruit consists of small black seeds.
We can distinguish two main types of dragon fruit :
- Yellow Pitahaya: Yellow Pitahaya is a yellow-colored pitahaya with thorns. It is sweeter because it has more sugar. It is often reminiscent of pineapples because of its color and shape.
- Red pitahaya: Unlike the yellow variety, Red pitahaya is a variety that does not have thorns, but instead has bracts. It is slightly larger and has a more hard crust.
As you can imagine, the plant has a very short flowering period, which lasts for one night. In this short time, the plant needs to pollinate and then develop its fruit at an astonishing speed.
The flowers of the plant emit a very pleasant smell that can be easily perceived wherever the plant grows. However, as soon as it is cut, it suddenly loses. This means that in order to enjoy the scent we must not cut them, but rather take advantage of their natural form.
Dragon Fruit Benefits
In the nutritional aspect, in addition to being very refreshing, pitahaya is a source of natural antioxidants, it contains vitamin C; Among its properties, its captain content also stands out, which helps to relax the nervous system. In addition, it has vitamin B2, vital for the production of red blood cells.
Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is a tropical fruit that originates in Mexico and Central America. It is cultivated for its edible fruit, which can be white, red, or yellow. The fruit has exotic beauty and delicious flavor that make it highly appreciated in other parts of the world. Some people even appreciate dragon fruit as an ornamental plant because of its lovely flowers and adaptability to many different types of climates.
The distinctive look of this fruit makes it appealing for use in floral arrangements or as a decorative item in itself. It can even be dried out from the inside.
“It is important to include this type of fruit in your diet in order to have a balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients to your body.”
Carambola or
The health benefits of star fruit (Carambola) include boosting the immune system, stimulating lactation, detoxifying the body, relieving respiratory distress, protecting the skin, aiding in weight loss, speeding up the metabolism, preventing cancer, and optimizing digestion, and building strong bones. It is an excellent anti-inflammatory and boosts hair and skin health.
Carambola is beautiful and makes a great snack. It’s also rich in fiber which aids in intestinal transit. Carambola also has a significant amount of minerals, including potassium, which strengthens bones, and muscles, and in smaller amounts, calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone and tooth health.
This tropical starfruit contains vitamin C and other antioxidants, which makes it a particularly useful food for promoting health during pregnancy. Vitamin C is essential for the absorption of iron, thus providing a basic need for pregnant women, and it also acts as an antioxidant to minimize the effects of cellular aging and boost the immune system. In addition, the fruit’s vitamin A content promotes the health of skin, hair, and eyesight.
Who Should Take Starfruit?
After knowing all the properties that the carambola contains, we can deduce that it is interesting to consume them:
For all ages.
- In situations of increased physical activity, and for athletes.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Hypertension and cardiovascular risk.
- Diabetes.
- Low defenses.
- When you have stress.
- In slimming diets.
- Constipation.
- Smokers.
- Cancer.
- AIDS.
What Are the Risks of Consuming Starfruit?
Starfruit is a tropical fruit that is also known as carambola, star apple, or five-angled fruit. This fruit originated from Southeast Asia and can now be found in many parts of the world. It is commonly consumed raw but can also be cooked. People who are on dialysis or are suffering from kidney disease cannot consume this fruit because it contains oxalates which can cause kidney disease if consumed in excess.
It also contains a neurotoxin which can cause aggravation of symptoms and/or serious neurological damage in people suffering from kidney disease.
Note that even for people without any particular health problem, the consumption of star fruit should remain moderate.
However, the carambola contains an interesting quantity of vitamin C , which helps in particular to strengthen the immune system.
If you plan to consume starfruit on a regular basis, or if you want to grow your own starfruit tree at home for consumption, it’s important to understand how much starfruit is safe for you to eat.
Also, its beta-carotene (provitamin A) content is notable. This substance is indeed a valuable antioxidant that helps fight against cell aging and cardiovascular disease.
Which Is Sweeter Dragon Fruit or Star fruit?
Dragon fruit (pitaya). The star fruit has a similar flavor to that of the dragon fruit but is less sweet. Additionally, it is crunchier than its cousin.
Source:
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1076.4045&rep=rep1&type=pdf