Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Star Fruit Can Kill

This fruit can end your life!

This is not an April Fool Joke. But a stern reminder to all my readers. We were advised to have a few servings of fruits a day in order to rep the benefits of fruits right? But obviously this is one big no-no fruit to be excluded from your fruity feast!

In Shenzen, more than 10 people who consumes the star fruit had died. And now a 66-year-old, Malaysian who has been suffering from kidney ailment fell into coma after eating the start fruits. Yes, all it takes is one fruit or 100ml of its juice and the ordinarily harmless star fruit transforms poison in a matter of hours for kidney patients. So does this mean, people without kidney problems should be fine with star fruit! My take: Not at all! Prevention is better right?

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre consultant nephrologist said that star fruits contain a neurotoxin which is not present in other fruits. It affects the brain and nerves. In healthy persons, the kidneys filter it out. But for those with kidney problems, this potent toxin cannot be removed and will worsen the consumers' conditions.

The symptoms of start fruit poisoning include:
~Numbness and weakness
~Feeling confused
~Epileptic fist

The risk of death is high if you are having kidney ailments! But healthy individuals should beware of this fruit's potential toxin too. It could also cripple your vitality if you are not lucky. So don't take it for granted. It's better to avoid them. Please pass this news to others.


BobbyT said...

wah, thanks for sharing, will try to avoid star fruit then..

Bengbeng said...

i read this too. shocking isn't it? like if we r somebody n we didnt know n offer to someone who has kidney problems ...aduh

coolku said...

omg, i like star fruit too. don't know my kidney ok or not le. ><"

Christopher said...

(BobbyT), welcome. yeah. we shouldn't take any risks. must not eat it.

(beng beng), yupe! I've been eating star fruit since this is really shocking!

(coolku), then must go to hospital n check lor. But if can try to avoid it all together lor!

QuaChee said...

read this as well. kinda scary heh. first time reading on star fruit like that!

i thought at first it was bcos it was in china - and certain chemicals used. a lil scary act.

Christopher said...

Yeah! The star fruit itself contain toxin. damm! Must be careful with what we eat.

Ursa said...

It was alleged that star fruit contains the presence of a neurotoxin and a high level of oxalic acid. It requires large amount of starfruit and intentional loading of oxalate to suffer renal failure. Oxalate is found in a lot of food. eg. Raw leafy green vegetables such as ulam contain a higher level of oxalate than starfruit. Spinach contains more oxalates than starfruit and kidney patients do not seem to have problems with spinach.

Again, there are different types of star-fruits. In most cases, can anyone prove that starfruit contained neurotoxins? More investigations should be conducted before we affirm such sweeping allegations.

The poisoning of an elderly Malaysian visiting China was most likely due to pesticide contamination. The level of freshness also needs to be surveyed. The cases also seems remote that it's particularly those malaysians who visited Shenzhen. Why aren't the rest affected?

Gilbert said...

I dont know but I have loved this fruit since I was a kid. I really have had no kidney problems and I have had hiccups everytime I drink any soda drinks. If raw leafy vegetables also contain the same neurotoxins and it has been recommended by nutritionists that this are good for nutrition and i UNDERSTAND SAYOTE ALSO CONTAINS OXALATES. REally what is wrong with this research. I need more confiration.

Tekkaus said...

Ursa-->Thanks for clearing up the air for us. Ha :D

Tekkaus said...

Gilbert-->Yeah! I think I need more facts about this issue too. Ha =)

Reshab Khan said...
