Carambola (Starfruit) Histamine Information

Carambola, often known as "starfruit," is a subtropical fruit loved for its unique shape and fresh, tangy flavor. Despite its popularity, followed by the health benefits it offers such as being low calorie and high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, there is scarce research available today discussing its impact on histamine levels in explicit terms. However, studying its constituents, Carambola is rich in polyphenols (flavonoids), Vitamin C, and antioxidants (1). Flavonoids are known for their capability to inhibit histamine release (2), which might hint that starfruit, due to its flavonoids content, may potentially assist in controlling histamine levels. On the other hand, rich Vitamin C content also plays a crucial role in controlling histamine levels. Several studies suggest that vitamin C can help break down histamine and also limit its release in the body (3). Despite the above, it is crucial to note that individual reactions to food can vary immensely, especially for those with a histamine intolerance or a sensitivity towards certain food constituents. From the data available at this moment, we can infer that the consumption of carambola or starfruit may potentially help control histamine levels in the body due to its rich content of flavonoids and vitamin C , but this should be validated by future research for a more concrete conclusion. References: 1. Rocha, Paraskevopoulou, Faria, Calhau, Azevedo (2011), "Effect of temperature on the degradation of vitamin C in fresh-cut starfruit" - [ Food Chemistry] 2. Kimata M, Shichijo M, Miura T, Serizawa I, Inagaki N, Nagai H. (2000), "Effects of luteolin, quercetin and baicalein on immunoglobulin E-mediated mediator release from human cultured mast cells" - [Clinical and Experimental Allergy] 3. Johnston, Martin & Cai. (1992), "Antihistamine Effect of Supplemental Ascorbic Acid and Neutrophil Chemotaxis" - [Journal of the American College of Nutrition].