The other day, I followed a man around a shopping centre. Before I knew what I was doing, I found myself walking behind him.

It's not something I'm usually in the habit of doing, you understand, but this man was rather special.

He was carrying several baskets strapped to his shoulder containing a colourful display of fresh pineapple slices and melon wedges, shiny red apples, bananas, plums and punnets of grapes, strawberries and raspberries.

In the crowded shopping mall, where my senses were overwhelmed by technicolours, technosounds and technosmells (courtesy of MacDonald's), his wares had a profound appeal.

I found out that Dave Williams was responsible for this "mini" fruit revolution.

He has been in the fruit business all his life, starting at the age of 12 by helping his dad at the old Covent Garden market in London.

When Dave eventually set up his own fruit and vegetable shop in St James's Street, Brighton, he noticed office workers were coming in every day to request a single of piece of fruit to eat with their lunch.

He decided it would be a good idea to take the fruit to them.

Now, Dave has three rounds going in the centre of Brighton and employs a few lads to help him sell fresh fruit to the local shops, offices, banks and medical practices.

He says: "I buy direct from the wholesale market the previous evening so the fruit is fresh. The response has been terrific and it's so motivating when people are pleased to see you."

In a hi-tech working environment, where senses are distorted by artificial light, sounds and smells, people often have a real desire to "re-connect" with nature.

But in such an environment, it's very common for the body's thirst and hunger signals to become confused, corrupting the body's ability to recommend the right actions.

A consequence of this is to feel hungry rather than thirsty and to become dehydrated.

Another is to crave unhealthy foods high in sugar, salt and additives and to eat more than necessary.

Fresh fruit, on the other hand, helps your body to re-adjust and is an ideal snack food or "sweet" for the workplace.

The fibre ensures a slow release of fruit sugar, providing more sustainable energy than a chocolate bar or sugary doughnut.

This means higher levels of concentration and less energy dips and mood swings during the working day.

Fruits are also full of nutrient-rich water to help rehydrate, cleanse and energise.

They contain a variety of phytochemicals which protect our cells from the damaging effects of toxic substances which speed up ageing and degenerative diseases.

Last but not least, when you eat plenty of fruit you have less room left for unhealthy sugary or fat-laden convenience foods.

Fresh fruit is fast-food of a superior kind.

If you work in the centre of Brighton and fancy some fresh fruit with your lunch, Dave Williams will be only too pleased to show you his juicy satsumas.

Call him on 01903 536126.

Martina is a qualified nutritional therapist at the Crescent Clinic of Complementary Medicine, 37 Vernon Terrace, Brighton. Tel: 01273 202221 and 12 Wellingtonia Court, Varndean Drive, Brighton, E. Sussex BN1 6TD, Tel: 01273 552011 or email: martina@thehealthbank.co.uk