Kidney stones are hard, potentially painful crystals that form in the kidney and are sometimes excreted in urine. Dietary changes may help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. You may be able to include a small amount of star fruit, or carambola, as part of a well-planned diet to prevent future kidney stones. Some kidney stones are harmless, but it is important to consult your doctor if you develop them because they can cause complications such as kidney failure.
Background
Common components in kidney stones may include calcium, phosphate, oxalate or uric acid, which may accumulate in the body when you eat a high-protein diet, according to MayoClinic.com. Male adults and individuals with a family or personal history of kidney stones are at higher risk for developing kidney stones. Although you cannot modify those characteristics, some ways to lower your risk of kidney stones are to stay hydrated and avoid a high-sodium diet. Star fruit is nearly free of sodium.
Oxalate Concerns
If you have had calcium oxalate kidney stones, or your doctor determines that you have high levels of oxalates in your urine, you may need to limit your oxalate intake to prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones from forming in the future. On a low-oxalate diet, you limit or avoid high-oxalate foods, or foods which have more than 10 mg oxalate per serving, according to the University of Michigan. Star fruit is high in oxalates, and other high-oxalate fruits and vegetables include rhubarb, sweet potatoes, strawberries and carrots.
Weight Control
A large star fruit has only 38 calories, so it can be a good choice for limiting your calorie intake in order to prevent weight gain or to lose weight. Obesity is a risk factor for kidney stones, according to the Langone Medical Center. The balance of the calories that you eat and the calories you expend determines whether you gain or lose weight, and low-calorie foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can make it easier to reduce your calorie intake than when your diet is high in high-calorie choices.
Other Nutrients
The University of Maryland suggests increasing your fiber intake to reduce your risk for kidney stones, and star fruit is an excellent source. A single star fruit provides 3.5 g dietary fiber, or 14 percent of the daily value. It is has 42 mg vitamin C, or 70 percent of the daily value for this antioxidant, and a high-antioxidant diet may also be beneficial for preventing kidney stones. A star fruit has only 42 mg calcium, or less than 5 percent of the daily value, and it does not contribute to the formation of kidney stones with calcium.
References
- Langone Medical Center; Kidney Stones - Adult; Diane Savitsky; September 2010
- University of Maryland; Kidney Stones; Steven Ehrlich; June 2010
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Fruits and Fruit Juices
- MayoClinic.com; Kidney Stones; January 2010
- University of Michigan; Low-Oxalate Diet Guidelines; October 2010
