We know they are chock-full of antioxidants and other valuable nutrients, but did you know that research has shown that black raspberries can actually alter your genes?

In animal studies, genes that were altered with cancer were returned to normal when black raspberry powder was consumed.

OK people, that's huge! Why aren't you eating black raspberries all the time, every day, at each meal? I jest, because we can't jump on every medical study bandwagon and eat multitudes of foods that are good for us.

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Fresh fruits are on their way out. No more you-pick strawberries and blueberries. Soon, there will be no more scrumptious strawberries, no more tart raspberries, no more of my favorite cherries either. There is a way to enjoy your pick of fruits throughout the long winter, though, long after they've gone out of season. Just freeze them. Especially blackberries.

Even when iced, blackberries burst with protective nutrients, says RealAge. In fact, frozen blackberries have almost as much antioxidant strength as the fresh variety, enough to fight off colon, prostate, breast, and oral cancer cells.

Stocked, blackberries are, with vitamins A, C, E, and K, beta carotene, folate, potassium, zinc, lutein, and anthocyanins -- these give the fruit its dark color and disease-fighting powers. With only 43 calories per three-ounce serving, you ought to be freezing these berries -- now.

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Deep, vibrant colors are best when it come to plant-based foods. They indicate high levels of antioxidants -- the stuff that protects our hearts, minimizes inflammation, and cuts the risk of cancer. If you have a choice, you should swap white grapefruit for pink, take dark greens over pale lettuce, and opt for the following black foods whenever you can.

Black Rice. Along with red and purple varieties, this grain is gaining popularity in the United States, probably because it's long been consumed in Asia due to its health benefits. Supplement your diet with black rice, says one study, and your risk of heart disease will drop. So will your chance for inflammation.

Black Beans. Much better than light-colored beans, these high-fiber treats might halt the growth of cancer in the colon, liver, and breast.

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There are certain foods that never survive the journey home from the grocery store to my home, chief among them being blackberries. Within seconds of turning on my car, I almost always start digging around in the bag and taking handfuls of this delicious fruit. By the time I arrive home -- no less than five minutes later -- an empty container is usually all that remains.

But, I suppose if I binge on anything, it may as well be something as healthy as blackberries. As a matter of fact, Ohio State University researchers studied the health benefits of this fruit, finding that 58 percent of patients who at 45g of them every day for six months had a significant decline in the damage caused by esophageal cancer.

The only problem with this behavior is that it's a never-ending cycle of purchase and consumption; when I'm later at home craving blackberries, I have to go back to the grocery store to buy them -- only, just as I did the time prior, I never make it home with any left!!

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I love this time of year. When my local produce stores start carrying fruits and vegetables that aren't labeled "product of some outlandishly far away country." Locally grown products are fresher, better for the environment, and even seem to taste better. Depending on where you live, many berries may be already in season. Strawberry season is just around the corner for me, and I can't wait! Berries pack a powerful nutritional punch (via FitSugar).

Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. They can help ward off certain diseases and may even slow the aging process. You can mix things up by looking for different tastes such as currants, gooseberries, and lingonberries.

Try topping your morning cereal or oatmeal with berries, enjoying a bowl of berries with some skim milk, mixing them in your yogurt, topping a small slice of angel food cake, or just popping them as they are. Your health -- and taste buds -- will thank you.

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There has been so much good press lately regarding the health benefits of fresh fruit, especially fresh raspberries and blueberries, that more and more shoppers are putting fruit on the weekly grocery list. Credited with helping in the fight against one of the biggest illnesses in this country, cancer, it's no wonder fresh fruit is getting so popular. So that's great and all, but there is a downside to this sudden interest in the produce aisle: prices are skyrocketing. Berries are flying by air, floating by sea, and traveling by truck from all over the world in an attempt to meet the drastically rising demand.

Of course it's never a good thing when prices at the grocery store go up, especially when it's related to something in the "health food" category. But hopefully people won't get too discouraged -- spending a few extra bucks on fresh fruit is so much better for you than blowing it on a big bag of Doritos.

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