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Bell peppers range in color from green to red, with the red peppers being the ripest and the sweetest. So, depending on the recipe, you can use any or all the colors.
So, what do the colors mean? Actually, all bell peppers start out green and then turn yellow, orange, and then red, according to Prevention. All the colors are nutritious options and come with health benefits.
Health Benefits of Eating Bell Peppers
Peppers are loaded with nutrients and are very good sources of antioxidants, Vitamins C, A, folic acid, potassium, calcium, and fiber, explained WebMD. In fact, just one cup of chopped bell peppers will give you 120 milligrams of vitamin C, that’s more than you get eating an orange. This helps your body to absorb iron, heal wounds, could help lower blood pressure, and contains immunity boosting properties.
The high fiber content helps to promote gut health and lessens the risk of constipation. But that’s not all. High-fiber foods also slow down how fast sugar is absorbed so it could also help reduce blood pressure levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Which is the best choice
Green bell peppers are high in chlorophyll, the pigment that gives it its bright green color, according to HuffPost. But as the peppers ripen the chlorophyll breaks down and the antioxidant carotenoid is formed, and this changes the nutrient profile.
So, if you want to get the most benefits, Registered dietitian and intuitive eating counselor Kara Lydon recommended that you eat red peppers. “Red bell peppers typically come out on top in terms of overall nutritional value. Since red peppers ripen the longest, they boast the most antioxidants,” she told HuffPost.
But just because red peppers have more antioxidants, don’t count out eating green, yellow, or orange peppers. Yellow peppers are high in lutein and zeaxanthin that support eye health.
How Peppers are Cooked Matters Too
Getting the maximum health benefits from your peppers depends on how you cook them. If you want to prevent the loss of vitamin C, which is water-soluble, the best way to cook them is to steam or air fry them. But don’t boil or cook bell peppers at a high heat. Another way to get maximum benefits from your peppers is to sauté them in extra-virgin olive oil.
But in the end, does it really matter? If you are trying to eat healthy, then eating more veggies in a variety of colors is a smart move. There is room in your diet for all the colors of the rainbow including peppers.
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