Whether you sauté it into a stir-fry or make this low-carb pizza recipe, peppers are a delicious part of many types of meals. It also makes a healthy way to enjoy dips and sauces.
While peppers have unique properties that allow you to enjoy a mix of health benefits, it’s also important to focus on getting enough of a variety of vegetables in your diet.Provides everything your body needs according to harvard health.
If you’re a fan of peppers and want to incorporate more of them into your diet, I highly recommend reading our list of science-backed pepper benefits from eating this nutrient-dense snack. Then, for healthier eating tips, check out the 7 vegetables that reduce inflammation and slow aging.
Peppers contain natural pigments, Lycopenewatermelons, tomatoes, guavas, and pink grapefruit. Of all the colors of peppers, red varieties are much richer in lycopene. mosquito?
According to a report published in nutrientslycopene is one of the few plant pigments known to be able to help fight free radicals in the body. The report states that lycopene may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems because it helps keep free radicals at bay. increase.
Yellow and orange peppers contain two natural pigments called zeaxanthin and lutein, which are also classified as carotenoids. These carotenoids are also found in many naturally occurring yellow and orange foods such as cantaloupe, carrots, eggs and salmon, and have been found to benefit health in a number of ways.
For example, according to a report published in nutrients, these natural pigments are beneficial for eye health. According to reports, lutein and zeaxanthin are part of the pigments found in the yellow patches around the retina of the eye and are known to help protect against blue light. apparently also helps protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C. In fact, peppers contain more vitamin C than oranges. What many people don’t know about vitamin C is that in addition to its health benefits such as building immunity and managing high blood pressure, it has actually been shown to help with cognitive function as we age.
One study review published in BMC Psychiatry We were able to confirm an association between vitamin C deficiency and depressed mood and cognitive decline. Researcher’s claims There have been several studies in the last 20 years showing a link between vitamin C and cognitive function, which warrants further research. American Journal of Epidemiologydemonstrated that vitamin C can protect against mild to severe cognitive impairment.
Boosting your immune system is an essential part of keeping your body healthy. Bell peppers are rich in vitamin A, which is known to help strengthen the immune system.
most researchers We’ve all agreed that adequate amounts of vitamin A can help protect us from infections, but the reasons behind it are still debatable. Nutrition Annual Reviewit may be because vitamin A deficiency interferes with our ability to absorb nutrients through the regeneration of certain intestinal barriers after infection. .
Another benefit you might not expect from foods like peppers is that it can actually boost your mood.red bell pepper 35% of the daily value of vitamin B6a known vitamin Improves mood and reduces risk of depressionAccording to a study published in . Journal of Inherited Metabolic DiseaseHowever, it is important to note that you cannot get sufficient levels of B6 from peppers alone. Therefore, it should never be used as a means of treating depression.
Bell peppers, especially red peppers, contain a natural compound called capsanthin. This compound creates a red color in foods and is also found in cayenne pepper, chili and paprika. Although more research is needed on this topic, scientists believe that capsanthin consumption can help with inflammation and weight loss. I’m starting to discover that
One study found in food research international We used mice to study the effect of capsanthin on weight loss. Not only did the mice in this study lose weight, they also had significantly lower glucose and cholesterol levels. Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD the author of sports nutrition playbook A panel of medical experts also said, “Capsanthin can potentially help increase your metabolic rate very slightly, and bell peppers alone may not provide all the amounts you need to increase your metabolic rate.” It has a high potential,” he said.
Bell peppers contain a natural pigment called quercetin. This pigment is part of the group of flavonoids, powerful antioxidant in the body. Quercetin has been associated with a variety of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, fighting cancer cells, reducing the risk of heart disease, and lowering blood pressure.
research from British Journal of Pharmacology Rats were given various levels of quercetin for 5 weeks. These are promising findings, but Goodson says, “In this particular study, we used 10 milligrams of quercetin and 3.5 ounces of green pepper, and it only has 2 milligrams,” she says. , helps get your system loaded with useful nutrients that may lead to improvements in blood pressure, but you can’t expect bell peppers alone to do that.
A previous version of this story was published on August 10, 2021. Updated to include additional copy and proofreading revisions, additional research, and updated context links.
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