Are you stuck in a banana-a-day rut? Here's a reason to mix in some strawberries, apples, grapes, and oranges with your go-to fruit.

It's called synergy. You don't just get a wider variety of nutrients by eating more fruits. Those nutrients actually work together to produce even more powerful health benefits than any fruit could on its own.

One fruit, two fruit, three fruit, four

We all know that the antioxidants in fruits and veggies work hard to protect your body from aging and disease. But what you may not know is that those antioxidants work even harder when they have the company of other antioxidants. That's why researchers recommend people eat 5 to 10 servings of a wide variety of different fruits and veggies every day.

Whole is the goal

If you tend to eat the same fruit over and over, consider breaking the mold next time you're at the grocery store or farmers market and pick up something you've never tried before. And choose whole fruit, so you get the most antioxidant bang for your buck.