) - the fruit of an annual herbaceous plant family Solanaceae. Widely distributed and cultivated in Ukraine, Russia, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece. Today it is a popular vegetable that almost everyone knows about. In this article we will talk about nutritional value and calorie content of green, as well as its benefits for the body.

Nutritional value and calorie content

There are three types of so-called: red, yellow and green. Green is harvested before it can turn yellow, orange or red. Some varieties are grown specifically for this purpose, since when green they are not bitter and are suitable for use. A popular green of this type is Atlantic.

Green is considered the least high-calorie product(per 100 g there are only 20 kcal), while red is more high-calorie: 100 g of this product contains 37 kcal. It does not contain fat, so it is considered dietary product. However, due to the presence of a certain amount of carbohydrates (6.9 g per 100 g of product), greens are nutritious and are well suited for a light and quick snack. Protein is only 1.3 g per 100 g of product.

Chemical composition

Green fruits are very juicy, aromatic and tasty, and in addition they contain many useful vitamins and minerals. They are rich in antioxidants A, C and E, in addition, it also contains huge number vitamin compounds, including: all B vitamins, vitamin K, PP, H, betaine, etc. Depending on the variety of green sweet pepper, it may contain about 30 types of vitamins.

Every person’s body needs ascorbic acid (vitamin C). And sweet pepper contains large number of this vitamin, moreover, he is a champion among content ascorbic acid. Vitamin C was first isolated from green bell peppers. For the average person to cover daily value Ascorbic acid is enough to eat only two medium ripe fruits.
Green peppers contain about 300 mg of ascorbic acid. This dose may vary depending on the conditions of the fruit. If the pepper is hot sun rays, then there will be more vitamin C in it than in those fruits that were in the shade for most of their growing season.

Bell peppers are also rich in various macro- and microelements. Its fruits contain large amounts of copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, fluorine, sodium, phosphorus, etc. Each of these elements has a positive impact on the human body. Zinc and iron are essential microelements for children and pregnant women.

Important! Green peppers contain many more cancer-preventing substances than their yellow and red counterparts.

Calcium and phosphorus give strength to bones and teeth, and the second substance is also essential for normal activity nervous system. Potassium and magnesium support heart function and improve function circulatory system, stabilize blood pressure levels, prevent the formation of blood clots in blood vessels.
Sweet green peppers also contain essential (lysine, valine, arginine, threonine, tryptophan) and non-essential (alanine, serine, tyrosine, glycine, cysteine) amino acids. Polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids should enter the body of every person. These compounds rejuvenate and energize the body, and they are all found in sweet green peppers. Among them: omega-3, omega-6, oleic, palmitic, stearic and other acids.

What's the benefit?

Due to the low calorie content of green bell peppers and the presence of polyunsaturated compounds in its composition fatty acids, which speed up metabolism, this product represents many of the most popular dietary techniques. In addition, it is able to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract during a diet.

The fruits of this plant have cleansing, antioxidant, strengthening and soothing properties. They are especially useful to use when due to a lack of vitamins protective forces the body is running out. Sweet green peppers will benefit children, pregnant women, the elderly and sick people. The product is especially useful during pregnancy, when the body expectant mother needs a constant supply of iron, folic and ascorbic acids.
Green pepper is very beneficial for hair. Thanks to the presence of vitamins A and B9 in its composition, hair becomes manageable and silky. Vitamin B9 can strengthen follicles and improve blood flow to them. Vitamin A prevents hair breakage and dandruff.

It is noteworthy that what more than a man If you eat green pepper, the less likely you are to develop alopecia.

Sweet pepper can reduce the level of unpleasant tooth sensitivity, prevent tooth decay and strengthen gums. Into our body along with junk food Every day we receive various carcinogens that periodically cause cancer. Due to the fact that the vegetable contains chlorogenic and lycopenic acids, almost all carcinogens are constantly removed from the body. Thus, sweet bell pepper is able to protect the body from the appearance of various types tumors.

Sweet bell pepper will be a godsend for those who are chasing eternal youth. Due to the presence of antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids, this product helps eliminate oxygen starvation cells and normalization of all metabolic processes in the body. Moreover, it protects the body from various harmful effects, as it strengthens the immune system.
Potassium and magnesium contribute to normal heart function. These macroelements, when regularly introduced into the body, can prevent coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. Omega-3, which is present in small quantities in the vegetable, cleans blood vessels and improves normal blood circulation processes.

Did you know? Archaeologists say that sweet bell peppers were known to people 9 thousand years ago.

Sweet bell pepper is useful for diabetes, as it can reduce blood glucose levels. But in this case, it must be used in food only in fresh. It also improves intestinal motility, helps in the fight against flatulence and dysbacteriosis.

Green sweet peppers have another significant advantage - they contain phytosterols: substances that can remove “bad” cholesterol from the body. Phytosterols are very similar to cholesterol, but unlike the latter, they are a product plant origin. It is believed that phytosterols help protect the body from the appearance of oncological diseases in the intestinal and prostate areas.
IN bell pepper contained rare vitamin K (phylloquinone), which is responsible for blood clotting processes. In addition, without vitamin K, vitamin D and calcium will not be absorbed properly. Phylloquinone protects the body from the manifestation of atherosclerosis and ensures normal energy exchange at the cellular level.

Sweet pepper is one of the most important products for every housewife. This tasty and juicy vegetable can be consumed fresh, dried, or cooked. Due to its rich color, it is used to decorate holiday dishes. A huge content vitamins in pepper allows us to make effective medicinal and cosmetics. The fruit is so rich in micronutrients that it brings tangible benefits to the body.

Although the pepper is called bell pepper, its homeland is the American continent. Wild plant growing in natural conditions, is a perennial, does not require cultivation or additional watering. Peppers lying on grocery store shelves different forms and colors are vegetables that have undergone selection. Based on the color of the fruit, there are three varieties: red, yellow and green. Red and yellow peppers contain a lot of carotenoid pigments; these two varieties are recommended for consumption by people suffering from diseases of the heart, kidneys and bone tissue. The green vegetable is rich in steroidal alcohols and phytosterols, which regulate fat metabolism and remove bad cholesterol from blood vessels, preventing the development of atherosclerosis.

What is the nutritional value of bell peppers?

The great advantage of sweet pepper over many others plant products in its low calorie content. One hundred grams raw vegetable contains no more than 30 kilocalories. It contains the following biologically significant elements:

• proteins – 1.3%;
• carbohydrates – 4.9%;
• fats – 0.1%;
• fiber – 1.7%;
• water – 92.0%.

What vitamins are contained in bell peppers?

Thanks to high concentration nutrients, bell pepper is extremely beneficial for human body. Fresh vegetables contain the most vitamins, with heat treatment the product loses up to 70% important microelements. An excellent source of nutrients is juice squeezed from peeled fruit. What vitamins do bell peppers contain? the greatest number? One hundred grams raw product have substances in the following volume:

• retinol (A) – 1 mg;
• ascorbic acid (C) – 130 mg;
• tocopherol (E) – 1.6 mg;
• nicotinic acid (B 3) – 1 mg;
• pantothenic acid (B 5) – 0.3 mg;
• pyridoxine (B 6) – 0.3 mg.

What minerals are found in bell peppers?

Rich sweet pepper and minerals that are extremely important for normal functioning and development of the body. How many minerals contains fresh vegetable? One hundred grams of the product contains the following amount of microelements:

• potassium – 210 mg;
• phosphorus – 26 mg;
• magnesium – 12 mg;
• calcium – 8 mg;
• sodium – 5 mg.

How is bell pepper good for the body?

To bring sweet peppers maximum benefit body, it is necessary to consume it without heat treatment: in salads or as an independent snack. The vegetable contains a unique alkaloid capsaicin, which has a beneficial effect on work digestive tract. This substance activates the production of secretions by the pancreas, improves appetite, has an antitoxic effect, removes carcinogens from the body, prevents the development of oncology, and helps reduce blood pressure, prevents the formation of blood clots in the bloodstream. Capsaicin can also destroy pathogenic fungi and stimulate hair and nail growth. It is useful to consume the vegetable for people suffering from constipation, atrophic gastritis, increased sweating, anemia, diabetes mellitus.

Since the kilocalorie content of red pepper is negligible, it is recommended to include it in the menu for obese people. The Bulgarian fruit has the ability to speed up the metabolism in the body, which is why it is the first vegetable on the list for dietary nutrition. Regular consumption of pepper can significantly reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, which is important for preventing atherosclerosis. The vegetable must be in the diet of people who have bleeding gums and weak elasticity of blood vessels.

Due to the high concentration of vitamins in red pepper, it is useful for mental workers to use it to improve brain performance and relieve stress. mental stress. The vegetable helps maintain vigor and good concentration, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, and eliminates symptoms of depression. Huge amounts of vitamin C, which is strong antioxidant, makes Bulgarian fruit effective means against deterioration of hair and nails, baldness in men and early skin aging in women. It is recommended that pregnant women consume the vegetable: it helps them maintain their healthy condition bone tissue And blood vessels.

Can bell peppers harm the body?

Sweet pepper is a nutritious and healthy product, but certain diseases it can harm the body. In order not to worsen your health, it is strictly forbidden to consume vegetables for the following pathologies:

• angina pectoris, ischemia, arrhythmia;
• insomnia, epilepsy, neurasthenia, mental disorders;
• stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• gastritis with increased acidity stomach;
• poor liver function;
• chronic kidney disease in the acute stage;
• colitis, long-term hemorrhoids.

You should be careful when choosing goods in grocery stores. IN lately Peppers that have been overly treated with agricultural pesticides appear on the shelves. Unscrupulous farmers do not spare insecticides and pesticides for their products, which are extremely toxic to the human body. Therefore, you should carefully read the information about the product and give preference to vegetables from reliable manufacturers that have been tested for harmful substances.

Bell peppers are a relative of cayenne peppers and chilies. It is called sweet because, unlike other representatives of the species, it has no pungency, or it is present in small quantities.

There are bell peppers different colors. The main ones are green, yellow, orange and red. Less common are white and purple. Green has a slightly bitter taste and contains fewer nutrients than red.

The season for bell peppers is summer and the first autumn months.

Paprika is made from sweet peppers. The spice is used in different cuisines around the world.

Bell pepper is considered one of the universal vegetables. It is added to salads fresh, stewed and fried, baked on the grill and served as a side dish for meat dishes, placed in casseroles and soups.

Composition of bell pepper

Bell peppers are primarily made up of water and carbohydrates. Water takes up 92%, and the rest is nutrients. Peppers are rich in vitamins, contain fiber and antioxidants.

Vitamins:

• C – 213%;
• A – 63%;
• B6 – 15%;
• B9 – 11%;
• E – 8%.

Minerals:

• potassium – 6%;
• manganese – 6%;
• phosphorus – 3%;
• magnesium – 3%;
• iron – 2%.

The calorie content of bell pepper is 31 kcal per 100 g.

Eating bell pepper will improve the functioning of the intestines, heart and immune system.

For muscles and joints

Bell pepper stops the development of osteochondrosis and chronic inflammation muscles and joints.

For the heart and blood vessels

With anemia, the blood does not carry oxygen well. This occurs as a result of iron deficiency, which can be obtained from bell peppers. The vegetable is rich in iron, which increases the absorption of iron from the intestines.

Capsaicin in sweet peppers reduces “bad” cholesterol, controls blood sugar levels, prevents diabetes and relieves pain by relieving inflammation.

Bell peppers will help reduce the risk of hypertension. This condition can lead to heart failure, chronic diseases kidney, peripheral vascular and dementia. High content potassium and almost complete absence Sodium content of pepper reduces high blood pressure.

Steady blood flow keeps your heart healthy. Proper blood circulation is possible with the help of bell pepper, as it is rich in phosphorus. Phosphorus relaxes veins, strengthening blood vessels. Proper circulation prevents blood clotting and reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

For the brain and nerves

The vegetable reduces the risk of developing age-related diseases, which include Alzheimer's disease.

For the eyes

The most common types of visual impairment are degeneration macular spot and cataracts. Bell peppers improve eye health when consumed in moderation. The vegetable protects the retina from damage. Thus, adding sweet peppers to your diet will prevent visual impairment.

For the bronchi

Eating sweet peppers is good for your health respiratory tract. Potassium, manganese, magnesium and vitamin C fight factors leading to respiratory diseases, including asthma, lung infections and emphysema.

For the gastrointestinal tract

Sweet pepper helps you lose weight overweight. It can convert carbohydrates into energy. Thus, the body “gets rid” of bad carbohydrates that lead to obesity. Bell peppers are beneficial due to their low calorie count and lack of fat.

B vitamins improve performance digestive system and allow the body to fully absorb minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. This will protect against diarrhea and nausea.

For the reproductive system

Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C. It helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men. The vegetable also contains lycopene, carotene, vitamins E and A and retinoids, which are also useful for preventing the disease.

Any vegetable contains many vitamins and minerals, the only difference is that one contains more vitamin E, and the other contains vitamin B. Raw red bell pepper is an excellent source of vitamin C. Just 40 g of pepper per day is enough and the daily norm of this substance will be replenished by 100 %.

What vitamins are in bell peppers?

Ascorbic acid:

Has a powerful restorative effect,

Stimulates wound healing,

Antioxidant, helps cope with the aggression of free radicals,

Clears blood vessels from anti-sclerotic plaques,

Improves the elasticity of blood vessels,

Promotes the absorption of iron and hemoglobin synthesis.

Promotes the production of interferon. Accelerates recovery from acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

100g of raw red bell pepper contains:

1. 40% of daily norm carotene,
2. 4% of the daily value of vitamin B2,
3. 5% of the daily requirement of vitamin PP,
4. 4.5% of the daily value of vitamin E,
5. 25% of the daily value of vitamin B6.

Useful properties.

Carotene deposited in the body when there is a lack of retinol synthesized into it. The accumulated pigment acts as an antioxidant. That is why it is considered an anti-cancer vitamin. It lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of colds.

There is also a lot of bell pepper vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Which promotes the synthesis of nucleic acids, prevents aging. Reduces muscle spasms and hand numbness. Pyridoxine acts as a natural diuretic. Vitamin B6 reduces the need for insulin and blood sugar. This property is important for people with diabetes.

Bell pepper - low calorie useful product. Its effectiveness largely depends on color: yellow, red and green peppers contain useful substances V varying degrees and their effects on the body are different.

Smoking can lead to the development of hypovitaminosis A, which negatively affects the quality and life expectancy of a person. However, the situation can change dramatically if you regularly eat red bell pepper. This conclusion was made by nutritionists after conducting a large-scale study. As a result, the enormous benefits of sweet bell pepper were proven when there is a deficiency in the body important vitamins and minerals. And this is not his only positive influence on human health.

Many people know about the benefits of pepper, but can this vegetable cause harm? Let's look at this issue in more detail.

Historical facts

The wild ancestors of sweet peppers were found in America, from where they were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus at the same time as zucchini. Guatemala and Mexico are recognized as the birthplace of this plant, where the most ancient varieties that look like shrubs still grow.

Archaeological excavations confirm that sweet peppers are one of the most ancient vegetables. The first mentions of it date back to 6,000 BC. In Europe, this plant was grown in Mediterranean countries with favorable climatic conditions.

Pepper came to Russia only in the 17th century and, most likely, from Bulgaria. That is why its second name is “Bulgarian”. According to historical documents, this happened in 1616.

Composition and calorie content

The beneficial properties of bell pepper lie in its low calorie content. It is 27 kcal per 100 g of product. It contains:

Vitamins

The presence of substances important for the body in red bell peppers determines its benefits for humans. As you know, vitamins are most contained in fresh fruits, but you can also eat heat-treated ones, since they also retain useful substances in sufficient concentration. The main vitamins are represented by the following groups:

Minerals

Bell peppers also contain minerals. It's about about the following:

The vitamins and minerals in bell peppers provide benefits to the human body, making the vegetable especially popular for health-conscious people.

Benefits for the body

Red bell pepper is good for the body, especially fresh and in salads. The substance capsaicin, which is necessary for normal operation digestive system. This substance stimulates exocrine function pancreas. In addition, capsacin inhibits the growth of pathogenic fungal microflora, and it can be considered as a natural antifungal agent. Other beneficial properties sweet bell peppers related to capsaicin:

• Increased appetite (this is especially important with cachexia, colds etc.)
• If you are prone to obesity, you should control the amount of food you eat during the day and count its calorie content
• Hypotensive effect
• Antiplatelet effect - reduces the tendency of blood to form blood clots when blood clots may interfere with blood flow
• Stimulation of nail and hair growth
• Anti-carcinogenic effect – protection against cancer processes.

It is worth noting that red hot pepper contains the most capsaicin. However, its consumption in food must be strictly regulated, since an excess can be harmful. On the contrary, the amount of sweet red pepper in the diet may not be limited, since it contains physiologically safe amounts of this substance.

The benefit that is unique to this vegetable is the direct burning of calories and the acceleration of metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, it is successfully used for weight loss as part of diets. In addition, “Borgarian” helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, the excess content of which can initiate the development of atherosclerotic disease.

Considering the beneficial properties of red bell pepper, it is especially important to eat it for people suffering from the following diseases and pathological processes:

• Anemia
• Increased bleeding gums
• Increased fragility of blood vessels
• Atrophic gastritis (the benefit of sweet bell pepper is that it stimulates gastric secretion)
• Chronic bronchitis accompanied by cough (pepper has an antitussive effect)
• Constipation
• Arterial hypertension
• Hyperhidrosis
• Diabetes mellitus (a condition in which the activity of the sweat glands increases) and some other conditions.

Possible harm

Unfortunately, the vegetable can also cause harm, since unscrupulous farmers quite often add growth stimulants and pesticides to the soil. Therefore, it is advisable to consume those fruits that have been tested for pesticide content or grown in the fields of trusted farmers. Excessive pesticide content in vegetables can be harmful and extremely dangerous to health. The body gradually gets used to consuming the poison and human health is at risk.

The benefits of sweet pepper can turn out to be harmful if consumed for certain diseases. In this case, it can lead to their exacerbation or worsen the course. Therefore, the harm and contraindications for its use are as follows: pathological processes in the body:

• Form coronary disease heart - angina
• Arrhythmias
• Ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract
• Chronic gastritis, in which the acid-forming function of the stomach is increased
• Kidney diseases in the acute stage or unstable remission
• Liver failure
• Colitis
• Hemorrhoids (long-term and untreated)
• Insomnia
• Epilepsy
• Increased psycho-emotional irritability and nervousness.

The vitamins and minerals in sweet bell peppers make them very healthy and popular product. Its therapeutic effect on the digestive and cardiovascular system. And paprika (red bell pepper) also helps fight excess weight.