Scanning the globe, we hunted down the healthiest fruits and vegetables. Per ounce, these fruits give you the most bang for your bite, in vitamins, antioxidants and other health-promoting properties. Here are the top 5 fruits for good health. 1 - Papaya Often called the "tree of life" the papaya is a superb source or folate, vitamin A, C, & E, and fiber. It's one of the highest vitamin C producing fruits. It also contains iron, niacin, thiamine, and a small amount of calcium and potassium. It's rich in enzymes that promote proper digestion. Papaya is great for your skin, and for lowering your cholesterol. In non-traditional medicine, the seeds are used as an anti-inflammatory agent, and to prevent oral and lung cancers. Eat a fresh papaya once a week for good health! 2 - Guava Loaded with vitamins and lycopene, guavas also pack a lot of fiber in the bite, while being low in calories. The guava rind has 8 times the vitamin C that an orange contains, and more than 300% of the RDA. It can help your body fight against infections, and it's high in collagen. Add a fresh guava to your next meal or dessert. 3 - Banana Loaded with potassium, B6 and folate. Bananas can lower your blood pressure better than any other food. Of course, you still need to exercise to combat high blood pressure, but a banana 3 or 4 times a week helps magnificently. This fruit is especially important in hot climates where you sweat. You need to replace the potassium in your body regularly. 4 - Blueberries While their vitamin content is small, these berries have high concentrations of antioxidants, which can fight against aging and certain cancers. They also contain Anthocyanins, which are flavonoid pigments that help your eyes and eyesight. 5 - Apple An apple a day keeps poor health away. With only 50 calories, the apple can deliver Vitamin B to your body, and help lower the LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood. Add apple slices to the side of your main dish at least a few times per week. Apple slices dusted with cinnamon can also be a great snack, to replace the greasy potato chips and such. Grapes are good for healthy blood; they are packed with vitamins A, C and B6. Men should eat watermelon for the lycopene, which prevents prostate cancer. All fruits help to boost your immune system. Regular eating of fruits and vegetables can do more to fight diseases than most medicines. Prevention is the key. Don't wait until you're sick to start eating right. Start today. So put down that grease burger and make a fruit salad. It's time to give your body a boost. Source
