I love peppers. Specifically the mini peppers that you get at the store that are bite size. But any size pepper will do nicely, any color as well. The vibrant colors of peppers are awesome and if you ever have a chance to add them to your pictures, you should. After all, why do you think that one weird guy from Iron Chef bit into a bright orange pepper. It was vibrant and looked exotic. And as we get ready to embark in cleanse land again, I am thinking about foods that I love that make a detox easier and more appealing. But the appeal of bell peppers goes way beyond their stunning good looks.
First, peppers are low in calories! So, even if you eat one full cup (which is about 8 mini-peppers) you get just about 45 calories. Bonus: that one cup will give you more than your daily allowance of Vitamin A and C!
Second, they contain plenty of vitamin C, a super powerful antioxidant, which powers up your immune system and keeps skin youthful. The highest amount of Vitamin C in a bell pepper is concentrated in the red variety, but all peppers are loaded with it.
Third, the red bell peppers contain several phytochemicals and carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, which lavish you with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory benefits, vision improvement (certain enzymes in bell peppers, such as lutein, protect the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration later in life), and capsaicin. The capsaicin in bell peppers has multiple health benefits. Studies show that it reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol, controls diabetes, brings relief from pain and eases inflammation.
Fourth, if cooked for a short period on low heat, bell peppers retain most of their sweet, almost fruity flavor and flavinoid content, which is a powerful nutrient. The sulfur content (which also tends not to cook out) in bell peppers makes them play a protective role in certain types of cancers.
Fifth, The bell pepper is a good source of Vitamin E, which is known to play a key role in keeping skin and hair looking youthful. Bell peppers also contain vitamin B6, which is essential for the health of the nervous system and helps renew cells.
So make sure you really love your peppers and include them in your diet as much as you can. You will be rewarded with both taste and health.
The Healthy Us 