Top 10 Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are sweeter than they are spicy, which might be the reason why they are so popular. Bell peppers can be green, yellow, red, or orange. Of the three, red bell peppers contain the most nutrients, but all are still great for your health.

Here are the Top 10 from Health Fitness Revolution and author of the book ReSYNC Your Life Samir Becic:

• Eye Health: Bell peppers contain over 30 different types of carotenoids including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene. Carotenoids are a phytonutrient family that is responsible for the bright red, yellow and orange coloring in many fruits and vegetables. Researchers have found that they help heal eyes and ward off eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light entering the eyes.
  
  
• Prevent Cancer: Carotenoids also have powerful antioxidant effects that can prevent certain types of cancers. Carotenoids deactivate cell-damaging oxygen atoms that react with other molecules in your body. Allowing the bell peppers to ripen will ensure that they have the most antioxidants possible.
  
  
• Boosts Immunity: Though ripening bell peppers maximizes antioxidants, it also increases the amount of Vitamin C they have in them. One cup of sliced red bell peppers can give you 157% of your daily vitamin C content, making them a great way to stay healthy.
  
  
• Balances Mood: If you are feeling blue, try to increase the amount of vitamin B6 you consume. Vitamin B6 can be found in bell peppers, and can help your brain produce serotonin and norepinephrine, two chemicals that can affect your mood.
  
  
• Natural Sleep Aid: Not able to fall asleep at night? The B6 vitamin found in bell peppers also aids in melatonin production, which your body needs to regulate its internal clock.
  
  
• Weight Loss: Bell peppers are low in fat and calories- about 1 gram of fat and 29 calories per cup; This makes them an ideal snack option, or a great side for a main meal. This small amount of fat is enough to provide a reliable source of fat-soluble nutrients.
  

• Beautiful Skin: Along with the previously mentioned vitamins, bell peppers also contain a solid amount of Vitamin E, which helps keep the skin looking fresh and young, and hair strong and vibrant.
  
  
• Lowers Cholesterol: Capsaicin is a nutrient that lowers the levels of cholesterol in your system. Although bell peppers contain less capsaicin than their spicier cousins, they do have some. That’s good news for those with high cholesterol, because bell peppers can help lower cholesterol.
  
  
• Helps With Pain: Bell peppers can help alleviate chronic pain in a couple ways. Vitamin C and vitamin K, both found in bell peppers, have anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces swelling and protects against osteoporosis.
  
  
• Heart Healthy: The anti-inflammatory properties in bell pepper also lowers inflammation in arteries. That means that bell peppers help prevent heart disease and diabetes.