Which Bell Color Is The Healthiest?

Which Bell Color Is The Healthiest?

Article
Health & Wellness
Nutrition & Dietetics
Contributed byMaulik P. Purohit MD MPHOct 08, 2018

The bell pepper, also known as a sweet pepper or capsicum, is a type of pepper of the species Capsicum annuum. The plant varieties come in different colors including red, yellow, green, chocolate, white, and purple. Of all the pepper varieties, bell peppers are the least pungent since they do not contain capsaicin, the chemical that causes an intense burning sensation.

Usually, unripe bell peppers are either green, pale yellow, or purple. Red bell peppers are simply ripened green peppers. Green peppers are least sweet of the lot and slightly bitterer than yellow or orange peppers; red bell peppers are the sweetest.

Bell Pepper Nutrition:

Each bell pepper type contains nearly similar nutrition qualities; however, they do differ in their quantities of vitamin C. For example, yellow is in between ripeness of the green and red variety but contains the most vitamin C per 100 grams. The same quantity of yellow peppers contains 306% of the daily recommendation of vitamin C, whereas the red pepper comes in second with 213%. Lastly, the green pepper contains 134% of the daily vitamin C recommendation.

Vitamin C is advantageous for the body for many reasons. An adequate intake of vitamin C can help the body create and maintain collagen, an essential protein found in hair and skin. Collagen is very important because it holds the skin, tendons, and ligaments together. Also, vitamin C is a potent natural water-soluble antioxidant, which helps the body develop resistance to infectious compounds.

The vibrant red bell pepper contains the most vitamin A with 63% of the daily recommendation, followed by the green bell pepper with 7%; the yellow bell pepper contains about 4%. Vitamin A, along with other antioxidant compounds, can help protect the retina (the inner layer of the eye that is sensitive to light) from damage caused by blue light. Antioxidants are natural substances that may delay or prevent cell damage.

For extra brain power, individuals should try red bell peppers. They contain more folate and potassium than the other types. Folate has been known to reduce the rate of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Potassium has been associated with an increase in blood flow to the brain, and enhancement of thinking ability, concentration, and brain activity. Potassium has the capacity to relax the blood vessels, allowing more blood and nutrients to flow to the vital brain areas.

Depending on what the culinary requirement is, red and yellow peppers appear to be the best choices for nutritional reasons. Red bell peppers contain almost the same amount of vitamins and minerals as the other varieties; nevertheless, they contain much more vitamin A, potassium, and folate to help protect one’s nerves, brain, and heart.

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH picture
Approved by

Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH

Assistant Medical Director, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!