Paprika Pepper (Bell Pepper) is the fruit of a pepper plant (a small perennial shrub in the genus capsicum belonging to the nightshade botanical family Solanaceae) and the fruit pods on the capsicum plant grown for their subtle hotness yet sweet, delicate Peppery flavor they extend to the recipes.
Sweet Peppers like paprika come in a wide variety of shapes and colours (yellow, red, orange, purple and green) and lack capsaicin (are mainly used as vegetables).
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Usable Parts
Directions of Preparation
Recommended Dosage
Its Active Constituents:
• A dried ground pods of the sweet red or chili Pepper that contains Flavonoids and Carotenoids, including Beta-Carotene, Lutein, and xeaxanthin.
• A popular salad Vegetable that is a good source of Vitamins A (Beta-Carotene), Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, Potassium and provides Polyphenols.
• Paprika Pepper is excellent in Dietary Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Lutein + Zeaxanthin, Vitamin E, Vitamin K.
• Paprika Pepper is very good in Energy, Protein, Total Fat, Carbohydrate, Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Vitamin B1, Total Choline, Saturated Fatty Acid, Monounsaturated Fats, PolyunSaturated Fatty Acids.
• Paprika Pepper has average trace of Alpha-Carotene.
• Sweet Pepper contain:
• Anti-oxidant Flavonoids (such as Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Lutein, zea-xanthin, and cryptoxanthin),
• A small amount of capsaicin (a health benefiting Alkaloid compound).
• Very little calories and fats.
• Its excellent in Vitamin C, Vitamin A.
• Its very good in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin E, Vitamin K.
• It has average trace of Potassium, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Beta-Cryptoxanthin.
Note:
• The Hotness of Peppers is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU):
• On the Scoville scale, Sweet Bell Pepper scores 0 units, Jalapeno Pepper scores 2500-4000 units and Mexican habaneros scores 200000-500000 units.
Precaution:
* Peppers are a member of the nightshade family (high in Alkaloids, chemical substances that can have a strong physiological effect)
* Capsicum cause Irritant effect, due to its capsaicinoids content.
* Some people with Osteoarthritis may not be able to destroy solanine (one substance in nightshades) in the gut.
* Many arthritics and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux disease) patients are told to follow a no-nightshade diet. Cooking lowers Alkaloid content by almost half.
Health Benefits of Paprika Pepper
Anti-Aging
• Paprika is rich in Beta-Carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A in the body) which plays a crucial role in the maintenance of healthy Skin and prevention of the prevalence of wrinkles.
• Bell Pepper contain Vitamin C which has been shown to affect immune function and development of age-related macular degeneration.
Foods & Bones
Bones
• Bell Pepper contain Beta-Cryptoxanthin has been found to have a Bone-building effect and reduces the risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis by 41%.
Foods & Bones
Cancer & Tumor Prevention
• Red Peppers contain Beta-Cryptoxanthin (a Carotenoid that may lower the risk of developing Lung Cancer) and eating the most cryptoxanthin-rich foods had a 27% lower risk for Lung Cancer (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention).
• Carcinogen in cigarettes induces a Vitamin A deficiency, so foods rich in Vitamin A (a great Immune System stimulator) may help counter that and provide some level of protection.
• Carotenoid-rich Vegetables (delicious and super-nutritious group) gets their Anti-Cancer punch from plant pigments called Carotenoids. Carotenoids offer broad-spectrum, natural chemoprevention.
Note:
* Light cooking actually increases the bioavailability of Carotenoids, so enjoy this group of veggies cooked for optimal results.
Foods & Cancer
Cardiovascular System
• Paprika contains Potassium (a vasodilator) which decrease vascular resistance, increasing blood flow and circulation. This reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, Strokes, and heart attacks.
• Bell Pepper contain Carotenoids (such as Beta-Cryptoxanthin) are a strong anti-oxidant that seem to heart protect.
• Vitamin C ensures the proper dilation of blood vessels, meaning Cholesterol cannot easily obstruct arteries and ensures an adequate blood supply to The Heart, thus preventing a cardiovascular disease condition called Angina Pectoris (chest pain).
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Circulatory System
• Paprika is an excellent source of Vitamin E, which helps in producing red blood cells.
• It also helps in forming clots in case of cuts and Wounds, aiding quick Wound healing.
• Bell Pepper Vitamin C content significantly reduces lead levels in the blood. It helps eliminate toxins from the blood, thus removing any dangerous amounts of lead.
Foods & Circulatory System
Digestive System
• Paprika are a mild Laxative and are anti-flatulent. They are beneficial for Constipation cases.
Note:
* The Skin of the paprika may be difficult to digest for those with sensitive stomachs. To remove it, roast the whole Pepper in the oven until the Skin begins to separate. Immediately place it in cold Water.
Foods & Digestive System
Eye
• Bell Pepper contain Vitamin A which is great for healthy Eyes and Skin, and helps to protect against Infections.
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin forms the macular pigment (yellow) found in the macular region of the retina.
* They basically filter and blocks radiation from blue light (a source of free radicals that can damage the retina causing impaired vision over time), preventing it from reaching sensitive areas of the Eye and producing oxidative damage.
* They are considered to be one of the major categories of Carotenoids and are responsible for the yellow colour in foods and the macular region of the retina.
* It protects retinal cells from damage due to light by absorbing blue light.
* Our body does not synthesize or produce them, so we are bound to meet our requirements from dietary sources (or supplements).
• Beta-Carotene turbocharges the formation of a purple pigment in the Eye called rhodopsin.
• Beta-Carotene rich foods sustain melanin in our Eyes, colours the iris in order to make it more opaque and protect against UV radiation and excess light.
Foods & Eye
Immune System
• Paprika contains anti-oxidants and has demonstrated free-radical-scavenging ability.
• Polyphenols in paprika exert cardioprotective, anti-oxidant, vasodilatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic, anti-apoptotic, and metabolic effects.
• Bell Pepper contain Vitamin C which is is essential for good health, being an incredibly powerful natural anti-oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and anti-bacterial and a potent Water soluble antioxidant which is required for the collagen synthesis inside the Human Body.
• Collagen is the main structural Protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, Skin, organs, and Bones.
• Vitamin C develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
• Sweet Pepper anti-oxidant substances help to protect the body from injurious effects of free radicals generated during Stress and disease conditions.
• Zeaxanthin (or plasma xanthophyll Carotenoids) reduce oxidative damage in DNA and Lipids.
• Vitamin A is a great Immune System stimulator. It strengthens the Immune System by supporting the production of Lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell that Fight off bacteria, viruses, parasites or Cancer cells).
Foods & Immune System
Infections
• Bell Pepper is rich in Vitamin C (which helps to heal cuts and keep teeth and Gums healthy).
• For Scurvy, regular consumption of foods rich in Vitamin C helps the Human Body protect from Scurvy.
• Vitamin C is a great anti-bacterial and a natural anti-histamine, reducing the most unpleasant effects of the common cold (such as inflammation, stuffy nose, muscle pain and so on).
• Vitamin A helps create a barrier against bacteria and viruses by reinforcing our body’s First line of defense: mucous membranes (our Eyes, nose, throat, lungs and Digestive System are lined with mucous membranes).
Foods & Infections
Metabolism
• Bell Pepper Vitamin K content helps to stimulates the absorption of Calcium from both food sources and supplements, thus contributing to strong, healthy Bones.
• Its the prerequisite for strong, healthy Bones and it prevents osteoclasts from re-absorbing Bone tissue and depleting our Bones of crucial Minerals.
• Vitamin C increases intestinal absorption of non-heme Iron by either reducing Iron from the ferrous ionic state to ferric state (in its capacity as an electron donor) or by forming a soluble complex with the Iron in the alkaline pH of the small intestine.
Foods & Metabolism
Oral & Dental
• Bell Pepper Vitamin C content helps heal cuts and Wounds and keep teeth and Gums healthy. It deficiency causes Scurvy.
Foods & Dental
Respiratory System
• Bell Pepper Vitamin C content is beneficial in protecting against Respiratory symptoms associated with Asthma and wheezing symptoms in children and a popular natural remedy for Colds and Coughs.
Foods & Respiratory System
The Brain & Nervous System
• Vitamin B6 (in paprika) has powerful neurological and psychological effects, aiding in the production of melatonin which helps maintain a normal sleep cycle and enhances the body’s serotonin and norePinephrine levels, both of which enable one to stay happy and stress-free.
Foods & Nervous System
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Paprika Peppers
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Paprika Peppers
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Green Bell Peppers
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Red Bell Peppers
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Yellow Bell Peppers
