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star fruit

star fruit

Fruit

Is star fruit high in glutamates?

Glutamates status
Low

Is star fruit high or low in glutamates? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.

Sensitivity notes

Why glutamates food checker matters

Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.

  • MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
  • Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
  • Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
  • Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
  • Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower

Sensitivities

What star fruit contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseLow
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineLow
Histamine Liberators
TyramineLow

Plant compounds

SalicylatesModerate
OxalatesAvoid
LectinLow
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic Foods

Additives

SulfitesLow
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesLow

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelLow

Diet fit

Where star fruit fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateCheck
Low FermentationLow
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPFit
InflammationFit
Reflux DietAvoid
Specific CarbohydrateFit
Low FibreCheck
Gastroparesis DietCheck

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanFit
DASH DietFit
PaleoFit
Whole30Fit
KetoFit
Low-carbFit

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about star fruit

Star fruit, or carambola, is the rare case where a food page has to start with kidney function rather than food chemistry. Two things about it are well documented. It is very high in oxalate, and large amounts of the fruit or of freshly pressed star fruit juice, particularly taken on an empty stomach or while dehydrated, have caused acute oxalate kidney injury in people whose kidney function was normal beforehand. Separately, it contains caramboxin, a neurotoxin that healthy kidneys clear but that builds up when kidney function is impaired. In chronic kidney disease, quantities as small as a single fruit or a glass of juice have produced intractable hiccups, vomiting, confusion, seizures and deaths, which is why nephrology guidance is that people with CKD and people on dialysis avoid star fruit completely rather than limit it. If your kidneys are healthy, the practical question is oxalate and portion size. On the rest of the trigger panel star fruit sits borderline rather than high: moderate for salicylates, and borderline for histamine, tyramine, sulfites, nickel and free glutamate.

Watch for

  • Very high in oxalate.The cases of acute oxalate nephropathy in the literature involve a large quantity at once, usually juice, and often a fasted or dehydrated state, so a few slices with a meal is a different exposure from a tall glass of fresh carambola juice
  • Contains caramboxin, which healthy kidneys clear and damaged kidneys do not.With chronic kidney disease or on dialysis, star fruit and star fruit juice are avoid-entirely foods, not moderate-the-portion foods
  • Persistent hiccups after eating star fruit are the classic first sign of that toxicity, usually followed by vomiting and confusion.This is a reason to get medical advice, not to wait and see
  • Juice concentrates the problem.Both the oxalate load and the caramboxin dose per mouthful are far higher in pressed juice than in the sliced fruit, and juice is what most of the reported cases involved
  • Borderline rather than clean on the wider panel, including salicylates at a moderate grade plus histamine, tyramine, sulfites, nickel and glutamates.If you already stack several sensitivities, it is not a neutral fruit to fall back on
Learn More

Glutamates Guide

Everything you need to know about glutamates sensitivity and smart food choices.

Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.

Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.

These foods are generally well-tolerated for Glutamates sensitivity:

View all safe options

These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:

These foods are high in glutamates and may trigger symptoms:

View full list

If you're sensitive to Glutamates, consider these strategies:

  • 1MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
  • 2Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
  • 3Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
  • 4Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
  • 5Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower

Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.

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FAQ

Is star fruit high in Glutamates?

Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.

Can I still eat star fruit if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?

Try smaller portions and space it out.

What else should I check?

Check Oxalates, Reflux Diet, and Salicylates next for a fuller picture.