Papaya

Rich in carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids, B vitamins, folate, potassium, copper, magnesium and fiber

With its sweet taste and buttery texture, it’s no wonder that Christopher Columbus called papayas the “fruit of the angels.” While not as popular as her citrus sisters, papayas are loaded with as much vitamin C as oranges, and offer a vitamin supplement’s worth of health benefits, being a rich source of carotenes, flavonoids, B vitamins, folate, potassium, copper and magnesium. This combination helps boost cardiovascular health and may also help protect against colon cancer. Papaya is also a rich source of papain, similar to an enzyme found in pineapple, which is used to treat sports injuries and allergies.

Try It Three Ways:

In addition to making a great sweet snack, papaya can be blended into a sweet aioli that’s perfect for chicken, fish or even homemade fries. It's wonderful sliced, grilled and served a la mode, too.

Blackberries

Rich in fiber, bioflavonoids and Vitamin C

Blackberries, in addition to being delicious, rank in the top 10 berries for antioxidants, according to the USA, and are rich in antioxidants that help prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Blackberries, like other berry fruits, also may be brain boosters.

A 2012 study by the American Chemical Society found that these fruits change how neurons in the brain communicate, preventing inflammation in the brain that contributes to neuronal damage and improving both motor control and cognitive function. If that’s not enough to get you reaching for the carton, blackberries are also number one in fiber. Just one cup gives you one-third of your daily target or 25 to 35 grams. For calorie counters, one cup of blackberries only has 62 calories!

Try It Three Ways:

Mix these up in a breakfast smoothie or go savory by topping pork or chicken with a blackberry port sauce. Their sweet and tart flavor makes them a perfect addition to a spinach salad for a quick and healthy lunch option.