How healthy is starfruit?

Is starfruit healthy? Yes, for most people. Starfruit scores 91/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 31 kcal, 34 mg vitamin C and 2.8 g fiber. Starfruit is low in calories and a good source of vitamin C, with a crisp, juicy texture and a mild sweet and sour taste. Source: USDA FoodData Central.

  • High in vitamin C
  • Low calorie
Score explained

The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Starfruit ranks higher than 91% of them.

Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)

  • Vitamin C100%
  • Fiber32%
  • Potassium9%
  • Magnesium8%
  • Protein7%
  • Vitamin E3%
  • Iron1%
  • Vitamin A1%
  • Calcium1%

Counts against

  • Saturated fat0%
  • Added sugars0%
  • Sodium0%

Raw NRF9.3: 162 minus 1 = 162. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology

How many calories are in starfruit?

Calories28kcal
Protein0.9g
Carbohydrates6.1g
Fat0.3g
Fiber2.5g
Sugars3.6g
Nutrition facts for starfruit. Per 100 g and for the selected portion (91 g). %DV uses FDA Daily Values.
NutrientPer 100 gPer portion%DV
Energy and macronutrients
Calories31 kcal28 kcal
Protein1 g0.9 g2%
Carbohydrates6.7 g6.1 g2%
Fiber2.8 g2.5 g9%
Sugars4 g3.6 g
Added sugars0 g0 g0%
Fat0.3 g0.3 g0%
Saturated fat<0.1 g<0.1 g0%
Omega-3 fats<0.1 g<0.1 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A3 µg2.7 µg0%
Vitamin C34 mg31 mg35%
Vitamin D0 µg0 µg0%
Vitamin E0.1 mg0.1 mg1%
Vitamin K0 µg0 µg0%
Vitamin B120 µg0 µg0%
Folate12 µg11 µg3%
Minerals
Calcium3 mg2.7 mg0%
Iron<0.1 mg<0.1 mg0%
Potassium133 mg121 mg3%
Magnesium10 mg9.1 mg2%
Zinc0.1 mg0.1 mg1%
Sodium2 mg1.8 mg0%

Source: USDA FoodData Central, "Carambola, (starfruit), raw" (FDC 171715). Values rounded.

Why is starfruit good for you?

  • 31 mg vitamin C in 1 medium fruit, 35% of the daily value. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.

Good ways to use it

  • Fruit salads and garnishes
  • A low-calorie snack

What should you watch out for?

  • Starfruit contains a neurotoxin and oxalate that healthy kidneys clear but damaged kidneys cannot. People with kidney disease should avoid it completely.

Similar foods

Starfruit is already one of the most nutrient-dense fruits we cover.

Strawberries

32 kcal per 100 g

91

High in vitamin C, Low calorie

Kiwi

61 kcal per 100 g

91

High in vitamin C, Source of fiber

Acerola

32 kcal per 100 g

90

High in vitamin C, Low calorie

How does starfruit compare?

Common questions about starfruit

How many calories are in starfruit?
100 g of starfruit has 31 kcal. A typical portion, 1 medium fruit (91 g), has about 28 kcal.
How much protein is in starfruit?
Starfruit has 1 g of protein per 100 g, or about 0.9 g in 1 medium fruit.
Is starfruit good for weight loss?
Starfruit is low in calories (31 kcal per 100 g), so it adds volume to meals without many calories. No single food causes weight loss; the overall diet does.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central, SR Legacy: "Carambola, (starfruit), raw", FDC ID 171715. fdc.nal.usda.gov
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (21 CFR 101.9).
  3. Fulgoni VL, Keast DR, Drewnowski A. Development and validation of the Nutrient-Rich Foods Index. J Nutr. 2009;139(8):1549-1554.
  4. Monteiro CA, et al. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutr. 2019;22(5):936-941.

Review and updates

Last updated
Data source
USDA FoodData Central, entry 171715. Not individually reviewed by a dietitian. How we check

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More: Fruits ranked, foods high in vitamin C.