Bell peppers, commonly referred to as capsicum or New World pepper, are native to the Americas. They’re members of the nightshade family, like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. Their mild flavor and crunchy texture make them a favorite for green salads. But there’s much more to these little red, yellow, and orange wonders than meets the eye! How about we look into bell peppers’ health benefits and their nutritional values?
Bell Health Peppers Benefits for Weight Loss?
Bell Peppers fall in the low calories and low-fat fruits, making them a good choice for weight loss diets. They are easy to add to any meal, whether salad or sandwich. Bell peppers are available all year round, making them an accessible grocery item for busy people. They are a good choice for kids, as they are easy to chew and digest.
Nutritional benefits of bell peppers
The most common bell peppers are red, yellow, and orange. All of them are high in vitamin C (an antioxidant that boosts immunity and fights free radicals) and beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A in the body).
Red peppers have the highest vitamin C and beta carotene, while yellow peppers have the lowest amount. The amount of calories and fat in bell peppers varies widely depending on size, ripeness, and preparation method.
Nutritional facts about red and yellow bell peppers
Red
A 1-cup serving of raw red peppers has about 37 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, and 9 grams of carbohydrates.
The same serving of cooked red peppers has about 49 calories, 0.9 grams of fat, and 10 grams of carbohydrates.
Yellow
A 1-cup serving of raw yellow peppers has about 44 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, and 10 grams of carbohydrates. The same serving of cooked yellow peppers has about 56 calories, 0.8 grams fat, and 11 grams of carbohydrates.
Skin Benefits Of Bell Peppers
Smooth, healthy skin is critical to enhancing the overall appearance. Some skin issues many face today are wrinkles, discoloration, increased thickness and decreased elasticity. Genetics largely determines when the skin begins to age, but there are other factors, including skin injury and an unhealthy lifestyle. Due to oxidation, skin damage is caused by free radicals stealing electrons from healthy cells. Smoking and sun damage are the most common causes of skin damage.
One can improve and prevent oxidation in the overall body by consuming red, yellow, and green bell peppers. Those are rich in vitamin C, which then helps collagen production. Collagen maintains the skin firm and protects the cells from being damaged by free radicals. Collagen is vital for the skin to fight against oxidative damage.
Top 6 health benefits of peppers
May Help Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
According to studies, eating sweet bell peppers can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. They have a rich source of beta carotene, converted to vitamin A in the body.
Cardiovascular benefits
Bell peppers are also high in vitamin C and vitamin B6. Studies have shown that eating beta-carotene-rich foods can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by as much as 29%.
Enhances bone health
Bell peppers contain high amounts of dietary fiber and manganese, essential for healthy bones and the nervous system.
It may reduce blood sugar levels.
Eating sweet bell peppers regularly can help maintain a healthy digestive system and regulate blood sugar levels.
Lower Cholesterol levels
Bell peppers contain capsaicin, a compound responsible for their intense flavor. It also gives peppers their “heat .”The amount of capsaicin in bell peppers varies depending on their type, ripeness, and growing conditions.
Capsaicin is believed to have some health benefits. It’s been shown to lower cholesterol, reduce cancer risk, and improve blood flow.
Protect and good for the eyes
– Red peppers are high in vitamin C and beta carotene, essential for the immune system and good eye health. These compounds can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related vision loss.
Orange bell peppers are high in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and stimulates antioxidants that can help prevent particular diseases and slow the aging process. – They contain beta carotene, converted to vitamin A in the body. This can help prevent certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related vision loss.
Side Effects And Warnings
Bell peppers are generally safe and healthy to eat, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Eating large amounts of bell peppers can cause gastrointestinal problems, like gas and bloating. Cooking bell peppers lowers the amount of capsaicin, which is responsible for the “heat” in bell peppers but doesn’t completely eliminate it. People sensitive to capsaicin, like those with irritable bowel syndrome, should avoid eating large amounts of bell peppers. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid over-consuming bell peppers because they may cause uterine contractions. People on a low-carb diet plan should avoid eating large amounts of bell peppers because they are high in carbohydrates.
All in all, Bell peppers are a great source of vitamins and minerals and provide many great health benefits when eaten regularly. They are very low calory and low-fat fruits, making them an excellent choice for weight loss diets. They are available all year round and can be added to any meal, whether a salad or sandwich.