by Cory Davison

Created on: April 30, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

What do you think of when you hear the word "fruit"? Do you think of the wide variety of flavors, the high concentration of antioxidants, the large quantities of fiber, or all of the above? It's true, fruits do come in a myriad of flavors, but their nutritional value far exceeds their taste. They contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. However, fruits are not all made equal; some fruits greatly surpass others. The following are several fruits that you should without a doubt incorporate into your diet:

BANANA - Bananas are wonderful sources of both potassium and pyridoxine (commonly known as vitamin B6). Potassium is particularly important for optimal nerve function. Deficiencies in potassium can lead to muscle weakness, decreased reflexive responses, cardiac arrhythmia, or even respiratory paralysis. Vitamin B6 is important in the balancing of electrolytes, and plays a large role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Vitamin B6 deficiency may lead to nervousness, insomnia, loss of muscular control, fatigue, cramps, or hair loss. Incorporating bananas into your regular diet may also lower your chances of acquiring heart disease.

BLACKBERRIES - Blackberries contain an impressive 10 grams of fiber per cup. They also contain a fair amount of vitamins K and C. Blackberry seeds are also extremely nutritious, boasting a plentiful amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Blackberries can greatly help with the prevention of cancer and heart disease, which happen to be the two most common deaths among North Americans. Perhaps it's time for you to start eating blackberries?

BLUEBERRIES - Blueberries are excellent sources of vitamins B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber. They also contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Regular ingestion of blueberries can drastically reduce your chances of heart disease and cancer. Blueberries can also prevent or decrease the severity of infections in the urinal tract. It does this by making it difficult for bacteria to accumulate on the walls of your bladder and urethra. If you want to truly experience the benefits of blueberries, try eating them by themselves as well (not just with pancakes).

KIWI - This hairy fruit is teeming with vitamin C. Just one of these little fruits contains 150% of your recommended daily intake. Since vitamin C is water soluble, there is no need to worry about excessive amounts. Kiwi can also act as a blood thinner, decreasing the likelihood of a clot forming in your circulatory system.

These are but a few of the wonderful fruits available to you. Next time you head to the grocery store, before you head to the snack isle, head over to the produce department and take a good look around. Even if you don't like the texture of various fruits, you can reap their benefits in the form of a shake. Not only are these foods rich in nutritional splendor, they taste great as well.

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