With an awesome combination of tangy taste and crunchy texture, bell pepper is also loaded with nutrients. They look beautiful and are used as decoration on Christmas Eve due to their glossy look.
Bell pepper are available in vivid colors like red, yellow, green, purple, black, brown to orange. They are from the family of nightshade and in the genus, capsicum.
The green and purple pepper have a slightly bitter taste while the red, yellow and orange have a sweet taste. They are either cooked or eaten raw in salad or vegetables. They are not spicy but provide a taste of spiciness that makes it special.
Bell pepper are available throughout the year. While the taste is excellent those available during summer.
Apart from it taste, bell pepper is more appreciated for its nutrients content. It is loaded with carotenoids and other vital nutrients that make it a healthy choice for diet. Love salad or you just add it as decoration, you love it more knowing its benefits.
They are loaded with nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, flavonoids and also low in calorie. Know more about bell pepper nutrients and its benefits.
1. Bell Pepper Contains High Antioxidant Flavonoids That Protect From Cancer
Cancer is caused due to oxidate stress which is a natural process. We can’t stop or control these process. Oxidate stress leads to production free radicals.
Free radicals in small quantity don’t do harm. But due to change in environmental and nutrient imbalance, free radicals quantity is increasing. So it is important to check the healthy level of free radicals. Free radicals are known as the leading cause of cancer or other degenerative diseases.
Free radicals are highly active particles that destroy the normal cells. They alter the functionality of healthy cells DNA. Now these damaged cells harm other healthy cells which lead to the spread of cancer.
For this purpose, antioxidants play a lead role in balancing those free radicals. Antioxidants are active nutrients that neutralize the free radicals and prevent unwanted harm.
Bell peppers are a rich source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. A cup of bell pepper provides 117 milligrams of Vitamin C which twice the amount that Orange provides.
It is also a good source of manganese which also possess high antioxidant property. Along with it is a good source of many other antioxidants flavonoids that makes it unique.
- Flavonoids
- luteolin
- quercetin
- hesperidin
- Carotenoids
- alpha-carotene
- beta-carotene
- cryptoxanthin
- lutein
- zeaxanthin
- Hydroxycinnamic Acids
- ferulic acid
- cinnamic acid
Vitamin A and Vitamin C and other 5 carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) make it a healthy choice.
Eating antioxidant rich food provides protection most types of cancer.
Yellow, green, orange and red was found to be most effective and possess high anti-cancer property.
Wrap up: With a dense source of nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and other carotenoids bell pepper provide protection from cancer.
2. Lutein and Zeaxanthin In Bell Pepper Keeps Eye Healthy
Macular degeneration or cataract are most common eye health issue among people. This health is due to old age or may be due to harm caused by free radicals.
Free radicals stimulate aging process that results in early damage to the eye and leading issues at an early age.
But nutrition plays a vital role in protection and also nourishes the eye.
Bell pepper provide a good amount of carotenoids, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin. They play vital role in the protection of eye from free radicals. Foods dense in carotenoids and other nutrients have been found to protects from damage.(11, 16, 17).
Those nutrients protect from the free radicals that damage eye retina that leads to complications. (18, 19, 20).
Regular consumption of antioxidants from diets has been proven to protect as well nourishes to prevent macular degeneration, cataracts or vision loss. (21, 22, 23, 24, 25).
Wrap up: With loaded carotenoids, Lutein and zeaxanthin, bell pepper provides complete benefit for eye health.
3. Bell Pepper Contains Abundant Amount of Immunity Boosting Vitamin C
A healthy immune system is responsible for complete health. To achieve an immune system, a healthy dose of nutrient is required.
These immune systems provide protection from active particles and infections.
Harmful particles also known as free radicals weaken the body immune system and cause damage to it. While infections of virus or bacteria are common due to low immunity.
With a healthy source of nutrients, the immune system can be improved to provide protection.
100g Bell pepper provides 127 mg of Vitamin C which is 213% of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
With a load of powerful antioxidants, bell pepper neutralizes the free radicals and also improves immunity to prevent infections.
Wrap up: Vitamin C present in bell pepper leads to the boost of immunity. It also provides protection from free radicals.
4. Bell Pepper Vitamin C Boost Iron Absorption and Protects From Anemia
Anemia is a common problem that many people face. It is a condition that body is not able to absorb healthy amount of oxygen. Low absorption of oxygen hinders complete body process resulting, weakness.
Anemia is caused due to two reason, Vitamin C, and Iron deficiency. For the production of blood, iron is required. While for better absorption, Vitamin C is necessary.
Iron and Vitamin C are necessary in balanced proportion for optimal functioning. So it is suggested to eat a combination of fruits and vegetables to get both nutrients. Eating a combination foods takes care of both nutrients.
One medium sized Bell pepper provides 169% of Vitamin C required for daily allowance. With a load of such a high amount of Vitamin C, iron absorption increases.
So prefer to include bell pepper with foods rich in iron to prevent Anemia complications.
Wrap up: With a healthy dose of Vitamin C, iron absorption increases.
5. Vitamin E Nourish And Build Healthy Skin
For skin health, Vitamin E is required. Vitamin E nourishes skin for the healthy development of cells, thus providing a healthy and supple skin.
Bell pepper provides antioxidants and flavonoids that protect skin from free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for skin cells damage leading to aging.
Wrap up: With a healthy combination of antioxidants, flavonoids and Vitamin E, bell pepper provide supple and healthy skin.
To get healthy skin read Proven 28 Anti-aging Foods That Will Unlock Your Skin Health
Facts of Bell Pepper
A ripe bell pepper is rich in Vitamin C and carotenoids.
High heat cooking can damage the nutrients. So it is suggested to prevent over-heating. Grilling for a 7-8 minute can destroy 40% of its nutrients. So it is cooked on low heat for a very short period.
In research, it is found to provide protection from many cancer and also it reduce the risk of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer.
Conclusion
Bell pepper is loaded with healthy nutrients. A healthy nutrient means healthy you.
We need a healthy food that should be good to taste. If you are searching it then, inclusion of bell pepper can change your dishes taste. So enjoy the taste as well as nutrients.
For More Informative Health Benefit article read:
Cilantro 12 Amazing Health Benefits [No 2 Is Top Priority]
Brussel Sprouts 13 Health Benefits [No 3 Is Everyone’s Favourite]
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