The Health Benefits of Red Bell Peppers

What can you roast on the barbecue, load with cheese and rice, then sprinkle on salads and soups? The red bell pepper, which is both tasty and adaptable, is at your disposal.

Are red bell peppers healthy?

Capsicum peppers, or red bell peppers, are a nutrient-dense food because they are low in calories, have no trans fats, and are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. There are only 46 calories and 3 grams of fiber in one cup of diced red bell pepper. You also have your daily vitamin and mineral requirements met with:

• As much vitamin C as a banana.
• It contains 93 percent vitamin A.
• Vitamin B6 at a 22 percent concentration.
• The folic acid (B9) content is 17%.
• 1 in 12 vitamin E content.
• 9 percent potassium.
• 8% manganese content.

Red bell pepper benefits

Red bell peppers are packed with beneficial plant elements like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Recent studies have shown that certain nutrients can:

Help prevent cancer

Beta-cryptoxanthin, found in red bell peppers, can be converted by the body into vitamin A. Beta-cryptoxanthin-rich diets have been linked to a reduced incidence of bladder, lung, and colon cancer by some studies.

"Beta-cryptoxanthin is an antioxidant, which protects your cells from changes that can lead to cancer," explains Whitson. People who consume a wide range of colorful produce have been shown to reduce their cancer risk. 

Protect brain health

The anthocyanins in red bell peppers are the natural substances responsible for its color. Many dark red or purple fruits and vegetables contain these pigments, which may have a protective impact on brain cells. There is evidence that anthocyanins can mitigate the effects of aging on memory and cognition.

Whitson explains that older persons who consume a diet high in anthocyanins have improved memory. Eating red peppers will provide your brain with the nutrients it needs to perform at its peak, but there is no foolproof technique to prevent cognitive decline.

Relieve arthritis

Cartilage is the spongy tissue that caps your bones to prevent them from rubbing against one another. The most prevalent kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), develops when cartilage is inflamed and wears away.

Wear and strain causes OA in many people. However, the correct nutrients, like those found in red peppers, may help alleviate joint pain.

"Red peppers contain a large amount of vitamin C, which heals and rejuvenates tissues, including cartilage," says Whitson. Vitamin C has been shown to alleviate the discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. The anti-inflammatory chemicals found in red peppers may also help alleviate OA symptoms.

Keep your colon healthy

Most Americans fall far short of the daily recommendation of 25–35 grams of fiber for adults. One of these benefits is that a high-fiber diet makes for smoother bowel movements.

In order to increase your fiber consumption without significantly increasing your calorie intake, Whitson recommends eating red bell peppers. "Constipation is one of the most common digestive issues, and fiber may help prevent colon cancer."

How to use red bell pepper

Although bell peppers are technically a fruit (a berry), they are not typically served as a sweet treat. The longer red bell peppers mature on the plant, the sweeter they get. Green bell peppers, which are unripe bell peppers, have a more bitter flavor than their red and orange counterparts.

The name "pepper" conjures up images of fiery chilies, however bell peppers are mild in flavor. Bell peppers, unlike other peppers, don't have capsaicin, the compound responsible for giving food its spiciness, according to Whitson.