31 Days of Raw: Day #23 - Red Bell Peppers

31 Days of Raw: Day #23
Red Bell Peppers

 
I learned early on that green bell peppers were simply unripe…that as they ripened naturally while still growing, they would change color and develop more nutrition.  They are still very nutritious on their own, but when choosing bell peppers, I always reach for a rich colorful one. Red Bell Peppers back the best punch so they are my usual choice. Green peppers have twice the amount of vitamin C by weight than citrus fruits, and this powerful punch of vitamin C is an antioxidant that may be effective in preventing certain cancers. Red bell peppers have three times as much vitamin C, eight times the vitamin A, and eleven times more beta carotene than green bell peppers.

Red Bell Peppers

Nutrition
Bell peppers are best known for their exceptionally high content of vitamin C.  Just half a cup of chopped red, orange, or yellow peppers supplies more than 200% of the Daily Value for vitamin C. Red peppers also contain beta-carotene (an antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A), as well as the phytonutrients lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zexanthin. Peppers are also a source of fiber, folate and magnesium.

Healthy Lungs
Since peppers contain a wide array of antioxidants, they help detoxify the body and prevent disease. The carotenoid antioxidant, beta-carotene, has been shown to help protect the lungs from disease and studies have shown that people with emphyseama have vitamin A deficiencies.

Cancer Prevention
The antioxidant lycopene has applications in the prevention of certain types of cancer, particularly prostate, lung, bladder and pancreatic. Because peppers are rich in folate, fibre and vitamin C, eating them may help offset colon cancer.  The antioxidant beta-cryptoxanthin has been shown to have applications in lung cancer prevention.

Healthy Eyesight
Another health benefit of bell peppers is related to their ability to improve eyesight. The antioxidants lutein and zexanthin help prevent and slow macular degeneration, a type of age-related loss of eyesight. Supplementing with these antioxidants is now standard practice for this condition. There is also evidence that compounds on bell peppers can help prevent cataracts.

Healthy  Your Heart
Lycopene rich red peppers are a particularly good choice for heart health; but green peppers keep you out of the cardiologist’s office too because they’re a good source of cholesterol lowering soluble fiber. Bell peppers also contain B6 and folate to help lower homocysteine levels. High homocysteine levels have been associated with a higher risk of heart disease. Bell peppers are also an excellent source of the powerful antioxidant vitamins A and C which help to wipe out free radicals that oxidize cholesterol and lead to heart disease. There’s 162 milligrams of blood pressure lowering potassium in a cup of bell peppers – another positive for heart health.

---

Stuffed Mini Peppers

• "Orange Sunshine Dip"
• 1 package of mini tri colored peppers

Prepare "ORANGE SUNSHINE DIP" from the recipe page. Now, on the top with the stem...shave the stem down or chop it off, but don't cut into the pepper. Then flip it over an cut just the pointy tip off. The base should be flat enough so it won't fall over. Pour the Orange Sunshine Dip into a ziplock bag, cut the tip off and pipe into your mini peppers. Voila! A beautiful, delicious little appetizer or snack. Enjoy!

---