Bell peppers are tasty, versatile and nutritious. Bake them, roast them, stir-fry them, or grill them. Choose green, orange, red, or yellow. It won’t matter. Bell peppers taste great and will help to keep you feeling healthy and strong. Discover tasty ways to add this superfood to your meal plan with some of our best bell pepper recipes, and learn more about the health benefits of this healthful food below.
Both green and red bell peppers offer important nutrients, including dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin C and choline, but they differ in amount. One cup of chopped raw green bell pepper has 119 milligrams of vitamin C, for instance, compared to the same serving of red bell pepper, which has a whopping 190 milligrams of vitamin C. The red bell pepper also has more beta carotene, with 2,420 micrograms versus the 310 micrograms in a green bell pepper. The red also has more vitamin A, with 4,665 IU (international units), whereas the green has just 551 IU of vitamin A. Diets rich in vitamin A can help you maintain a healthy immune system and may aid in healthy vision. Vitamin A is also important for bone growth and cellular development.
11 Healthy Benefits of Bell Peppers
Iron Deficiency
Red bell peppers provide almost 300 percent of the daily vitamin C requirement. Vitamin C is essential for the proper absorption of iron. Thus, those suffering from iron deficiency should consume red peppers.
Detox
Bell peppers help in clearing out the congested mucus membranes in the nose and lungs and eliminate toxins through sweating.
Hair Growth
By stimulating circulation, bell peppers improve the effectiveness of other herbs. Red bell pepper is a natural hair growth stimulator and is highly effective in curing hair loss. In case of hair loss, capsicum improves blood flow which is vital for proper growth of hair and protection of hair follicles from the effects of dihydro testosterone (DHT).
Burns more Calories
Red bell peppers help in activating thermogenesis and increase the metabolic rate. Capsaicin which is responsible for increasing the hotness of other peppers is found in bell peppers in very small amounts. Thus, they have a mild thermogenic action that increases the metabolism without increasing the heart rate and blood pressure unlike hot peppers. Hence, they can support weight loss.
Vitamin B6 and Magnesium
The combination of vitamin B6 and the mineral magnesium leads to decrease in anxiety levels, particularly due to pre-menstrual symptoms. Being a natural diuretic, vitamin B6 helps to reduce bloating and prevents hypertension.
High Silicon Supports Hair & Nails
Green bell pepper has a high content of natural silicon, which may support healthy hair and nails.
Strengthens Hair Follicles
One of the reasons why bell peppers plants and the fruits are good for hair is the fact that they are excellent sources of vitamin C which is essential for hair health. Vitamin C helps in proper absorption of iron, thus ensuring that there is enough iron in red blood cells to carry oxygen to hair follicles. Vitamin C is also used in the formation of collagen. Collagen is required by hair follicles, blood vessel and skin to stay healthy and for their optimal growth. Vitamin C deficiency can cause dry, splitting hair that breaks easily.
Immune System
Vitamin C is vital for maintaining a healthy immune system and for building strong collagen to support skin and joints. It is instrumental in lowering the risk of arthritis and reducing inflammation. Vitamin K aids in the formation of blood clots. It is important for developing strong bones and protection of cells from oxidative damage.
Reverses Signs of Ageing
Consumption of bell pepper juice helps in reversing the signs of ageing due to its high antioxidant levels. Bell peppers protect the skin from damage-causing free radicals, thus promoting healthy and younger looking skin.
Fights Oxidative Damage
Red, green and yellow bell peppers are rich in vitamin C which helps in the production of collagen. Collagen keeps the skin firm and protects the cells from further damage. It increases the ability of the skin to fight against oxidative damage.
Reference:
myrecipes.com, spryliving.com, skinnyms.com
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