Red peppers are in a lot of the recipes I make as they are one of my favourite vegetables. Did you know how healthy they are? The nutritional value of red peppers is huge so I wanted to share that with you. I love adding red peppers to so many recipes, especially raw in the summer, how about you?
Where do red peppers come from?
Red Bell Peppers originated in South America and were carried throughout the world by Portuguese and Spanish explorers. The seeds of the red bell pepper date back to a wild variety of vegetables that dates back to 5000 BC.
Red bell peppers are not only lovely to look at, with their shiny, shapely body and gorgeous vibrant red colour, they are also loaded with nutritional benefits. These vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that help to reduce the risk of certain diseases while also promoting optimal health.
A Colourful Way To Get Valuable Nutrients
Red Bell peppers are such nutritious and vitamin-rich vegetables they should really be included in your weekly meals. Whether you are young or old, pregnant or going through menopause red pepper nutrition is a must-have!
They are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium while also being high in dietary fibre, as well as being a source of vitamin a, vitamin c, vitamin e, vitamin k, and vitamin B6.
They contain minerals such as potassium, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, and magnesium. So with all these nutrients, the nutritional value of red peppers is massive!
Free Radical Protection
Red bell peppers contain large amounts of vitamin A and C, which are some of the most powerful antioxidants.
These antioxidants help to protect the body from free radicals, which can travel throughout the body and cause oxidative stress which damages the cells.
Free radicals are a cause of many major health problems by allowing cholesterol to build up in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease, atherosclerosis, nerve and blood vessel damage in diabetics, the cloudy lens of cataracts, joint damage, and pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and the wheezing caused by blocked airways in asthmatics.
The antioxidants contained in vitamins A and C are very potent free-radical fighters, and thus red bell peppers can help to reduce or prevent some of the symptoms of these free-radical-caused conditions. Vitamin C also helps support healthy immune function.
Help Lower Cholesterol and Reduce Heart Disease Risk
Peppers contain vitamin B6 and folic acid, two very important B vitamins which help to reduce homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are shown to cause damage to blood vessels and increase the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
The peppers also provide fibre, which is beneficial in helping to lower high cholesterol, which can also help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fibre also helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer and helps to support a healthy digestive system.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention
Vitamin C, found in the red bell pepper, is shown to help protect the body against inflammatory polyarthritis, which is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that involved two or more joints.
Studies have shown that humans who consume lower amounts of vitamin C in their bodies are more at risk of developing arthritis than those with high amounts of vitamin C in their diets.
Overall Better Health with Red Bell Peppers
The red bell pepper also helps to protect against cataracts due to its high vitamin C and beta-carotene levels while it also helps to prevent macular degeneration, which causes blindness in the elderly.
Vitamin A found in red bell peppers is also beneficial to smokers or those who are often around secondhand smoke. Vitamin A can help to prevent emphysema in smokers and reduce the risk of smoker-induced cancers.
Red bell peppers contain lycopene which can help reduce the risk of certain cancers such as prostate, cervix, pancreas, and bladder cancer. Also, fibre, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folic acid can help reduce the risk of colon cancer and lower the risk of lung cancer as well.
Sweet red bell peppers are available year-round, but they are the tastiest during August and September. With the amazing health benefits and the abundance of nutrients in the red bell pepper, it is a good idea to make this vegetable part of your diet. It provides much-needed nutrients to the body to promote optimal health and protect you from certain health problems and diseases.
The delicious and nutritious red bell pepper is a healthy food staple for people wishing to live a health-conscious lifestyle for a better quality of living. Will you be paying more attention now to the nutritional value of the red pepper and enjoying it more?
My favourite recipes with red peppers
Most of the recipes I make involve peppers in some way but here are a few which are heavy in red peppers!
Malaysian red pepper and chicken curry (can be made with Quorn for vegetarians)
Mediterranean vegetable lasagne
Red pepper and butternut squash soup
Double soup of red and yellow peppers
Stuffed peppers or slow cooker stuffed peppers
Other recipes you can easily add red peppers into are red lentil soup and butternut squash risotto.
Other ingredients tips you may like
If you like to cook with different ingredients and find different ways of using them then here are a few other articles I think you might like.
All you need to know about celeriac and how to use it
Oats an original superfood with lots of uses
Is couscous healthy, how you can use couscous well
How to grow your own vegetables from scraps
Jackfruit – what is it and how to use it
Cranberry juice – what are the benefits of it and how can you enjoy it
Seaweed – an unusual ingredient you should consider
