A papaya a day keeps disease at bay? We all know the health benefits of our favorite fruits. Apples are rich in fiber; citrus fruits -- from limes to tangerines -- are full of vitamin C; and bananas are great for fighting off hunger and a potassium boost. But what about the rainbow of other fruits in the produce section? From holiday favorites to exotics, this list of super fruits will have you re-examining your weekly grocery list:

Cranberries

Rich in polyphenols (antioxidants), anthocyanins

America’s favorite holiday berry should be a part of our regular diets. In addition to being a great way to boost HDL, or good cholesterol, cranberries help fight off urinary tract infections. According to Tufts University researcher Diane McKay, cranberries also contain compounds that help prevent bacteria like E. coli and staph from sticking to our cells, which may mean that cranberries help prevent infection.

These super berries are also especially beneficial to women. Cranberries are rich in the flavonoid quercetin, which can inhibit the development of both breast and colon cancers. Further, according to a Rutgers University study, cranberries can help boost the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs used to fight ovarian cancer, and they can help slow the growth of some cancer cells. They’re also a great ingredient for those of us counting calories -- half a cup of cranberries contains only 25 calories!

Try It Three Ways:

Get your dose of cranberries with a cup of sweetened cranberry juice or try a mouth-watering cranberry dessert, like cranberry tarts or cranberry-poached pears, for a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.