Office fruit delivery in London:

For a taste of the exotic this winter, pick up a pomegranate.

Each red round fruit contains hundreds of seeds encased in a sweet pink pulp.

Just half of a pomegranate contains two of your recommended five-a-day and is an excellent source of vitamins C and K, folate and potassium as well as being a good source of energy-boosting B vitamins and phosphorus.

This exotic fruit is also jam-packed with polyphenols, antioxidants linked to the prevention of heart disease and cancer.

Recent research has discovered that chemicals found in in the skins of pomegranates could even be harnessed to fight hospital superbug MRSA.

The best fuss-free way to get to the fruit is to slice the pomegranate in half and pick out the seeds with a cocktail stick.

Alternatively, tip it upside down so that the skin is facing up and tap it gently over a bowl so that the seeds fall out.

Those who will miss the goodies of the office fruit box this Christmas should ensure they continue to enjoy their fruity snacks at home.

Filling up on turkey, potatoes and sprouts is not to everyone’s taste, so why not try a lighter selection of foods for Christmas seconds?

Merinews.com suggests taking a non-traditional route and opting for finger foods, appetisers, salads, platters and a light main dish.

It points out that a fruit platter will be appreciated by the old and young alike and suggests arranging plates of pineapples, grapes, oranges and strawberries on the table.

"These fruits also go well with custard or hot chocolate fondue, for a special Christmas touch," the news provider has pointed out.

Not only will some fresh fruit be a welcome change to heavy potatoes and puddings, it will help you continue to get your five a day and boost your immune system during the cold spell.

Boosting your blood flow can be aided with the humble tomato, despite whether you think it belongs in the office fruit box or fridge vegetable drawer.

A nutrition and health ingredient called Fruitflow, derived from the gel around tomato seeds, has been affirmed as offering benefits to circulation by the European Commission.

Discovered in 1999 by Professor Asim Dutta-Roy, the tomato-based ingredient prevents the clumping of blood platelets, reducing the likelihood of clots.

He explains that Fruitflow works in a similar way to aspirin, but targeting several pathways of platelet aggregation rather than just one.

Tomatoes are also good for making you feel full, Reading University researchers have shown.

They are rich in a compound called lycopene, which promotes a feeling of satiety and suppresses the urge to snack.

Lycopene is also a powerful natural antioxidant and can help prevent prostate cancer and protect the skin against UV rays.

Isabel Carter

Prunes are not only a tasty and convenient snack for office fruit fans, but they may also be the ticket to better health, according to Expressbuzz.

The dried plums have a "delectable flavour" and are "naturally sweet, chewy morsels of goodness", the news provider says.

"Prunes are natural, tender, full of flavour and energy: a treat for the palate with nutritional qualities that meet every requirement for a healthy, balanced and tasty diet," it continues.

Not only are prunes fat-free and low in calories and so perfect for snacking on, they contain high levels of fibre so are great for the digestive system.

As well as this, the fruits have beneficial qualities for the skin, preventing aging and promoting general healthiness.

They have a high mineral and vitamin content and have also been shown to help prevent the detrimental effects of the menopause on bone density as they contain potassium and boron.

Paw-paw – the fruit made famous by a song is Disney’s Jungle book – contains many vitamins beneficial to health.

The soft melon-like flesh of this small yellowish fruit is rich in papain, a natural enzyme known to aid digestion, and will appeal to anyone with a taste for the exotic.

In addition, paw-paw is a good source of vitamins A, B and C – which are essential for good eyesight and a healthy immune system.

Paw-paw, also known as papaya, is a versatile fruit from which many other food types can be derived, including juice and marmalade.

It also contains spicy seeds which are used as a condiment in Indian cooking.

Though you may have to search further than the office fruit box to find it, paw-paw can be bought from most major supermarkets and exotic fruit grocers.

The NHS advises eating five portions of fresh fruit and veg a day for optimum health.