Bell Pepper Facts: 11 unmissable Health Benefits of Bell Peppers!

Bell pepper, or sweet pepper, does not only have lovely colors but also loaded with a high nutritional value. Studies have proved bell pepper is one of the most beneficial vegetables for health. It is low in calories and comes in different colors like green, red, yellow, and orange. Besides, it contains antioxidants that slow down aging and protect from cancers and heart diseases. Since it contains an exceptional abundance of vitamin C, it helps fight cold and flu. The red variety contains even a higher concentration of vitamin C than other varieties.

Unlike chili pepper, the bell pepper has no pungent taste but a special sweet taste. Only the green bell peppers have a bitter taste because they are harvested unripe before turning into another color. Such features make bell peppers tempting enough to be eaten and used for dishes decoration.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

• Fights cold and flu symptoms.
• It helps maintain healthy skin, bones, joints, and blood vessels.
• Necessary for collagen formation, a structural protein in skin, bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
• Helpful for the healing of wounds.
• Required for synthesis of adrenaline and noradrenaline that are released during stress.
• Induces the conversion of cholesterol into bile salts, thus ease the elimination.
• Regulates the blood sugar level.
• Boosts immunity.
• It facilitates iron absorption in the gut.

Vitamin B6

• Vital for energy production due to helping in the metabolism of carbs.
• It helps metabolize proteins and fats.
• Important for brain development and functioning.
• It helps in the synthesis of serotonin and accordingly affects the mood.
• Substantial for healthy skin, eyes, hair, and liver.
• It can lower the predispose to heart diseases.
• Needed for the hemoglobin formation, hence red blood cell production.
• Prevents fatigue and insomnia.
• Effective in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, and premenstrual syndrome (moodiness prior to menstruation).

Vitamin A

• Crucial for bone growth, cell division, and reproduction.
• Required in the formation of healthy skin and teeth.
• Essential for the dark vision cycle which occurs in the eye while sleeping.

Vitamin E

• Has a critical role in red blood cell formation.
• Prevents heart diseases.
• Important for good muscle mass and functionality.

Vitamin K

• Important for the blood clotting and therefore controls bleeding.
• Essential for the build-up of strong bones and teeth.
• Manages morning sickness (nausea occurring typically in the first few months of pregnancy).

Lycopene (in red bell pepper)

• It lowers the risk of lung, breast, and prostate cancers.
• Prevents heart diseases.
• Slows down the aging process.

N.B. Lycopene and vitamins C, E, and A are certainly significant. They counteract the effects of the free radicals that cause cellular damage, hence, cancers.

Potassium

• Important for heart health.

Calcium

• Necessary for bones and teeth health. Moreover, it has many other vital roles.

11 Benefits of Eating Bell Pepper

1. Prophylactic against iron-deficiency anemia, aging, cancers, and heart diseases.
2. Supports a healthy vision and therefore prevents night blindness.
3. It decreases the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts due to aging.
4. Maintains the health of skin, bones, and nerve cells.
5. Shortens the duration of the common cold.
6. Beneficial for bone growth and reproduction.
7. Lowers cholesterol.
8. It helps optimize glucose level and consequently combats diabetes.
9. It can help with weight loss.
10. Keeps off general weakness and tiredness.
11. It can help manage stress and decrease anxiety.