Everyone has heard of red, green and yellow bell peppers. However, not too many people are aware that there are also purple bell peppers in our midst, though they are not as popular as their cousins with other colors. That’s really a shame because purple bell peppers are just as good for the body as red, green and yellow bell peppers.
They are called that way for the obvious fact that they sport head-turning purple skins. The reason for that is the abundance of a blue- or violet-colored plant pigment called “anthocyanin”.
According to medical experts, anthocyanin is a very beneficial naturally-existing compound because it has antioxidant, detoxifying, anti-cancer, cholesterol-lowering, heart disease-reducing, anti-inflammatory, vision-improving, brain-boosting, and weight-reducing properties. Yup, anthocyanin is an unbelievably powerful plant pigment!
Purple bell peppers are sweet and crunchy, and that’s why you are not going to have a difficult time including them in your diet on a regular basis. And you actually should consume these purple treats just as often as their red, green and yellow counterparts because they offer so many health perks, some of them include:
Stronger Immune System
Purple bell peppers are so loaded with vitamin C. In fact, nutrition experts say that a cup of it supplies 100 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C. This only means that including purple bell peppers in your diet regularly can help reduce your risk of getting infections like the common cold and flu.
Lovelier Smile
Consuming purple bell peppers is also great for your smile. We all know that vitamin C is good for strengthening the immune system. But did you know that it’s also important for keeping the gums in tip-top shape? With your gums strong and healthy, it can be easy to keep your smile attractive.
Younger-Looking Skin
Vitamin C is good for your skin, too. Actually, you may think of it as a powerful anti-aging solution from nature. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that kills off excess free radicals before they damage healthy skin cells for good. Also, the said vitamin present abundantly in purple bell peppers is necessitated for the production of collagen.
Sharper Vision
Another vitamin can be found in impressive amounts in purple bell peppers, and that’s vitamin A. We all know that this particular nutrient is important for keeping your vision sharp. Consuming vitamin A-rich bell peppers regularly can also help lower your risk of eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Increased Energy
B vitamins are also present in every purple bell pepper serving. As everybody knows, B vitamins are necessary for the conversion of food into fuel, which means that they are energizing. B vitamins are also good for the nerves. By the way, a type of B vitamin (folate) is present in purple bell peppers, and it’s good for pregnant moms.
Controlled Inflammation
There is a particular compound in purple bell peppers that is very good at fighting off inflammation, and that’s capsaicin. In other words, adding purple bell peppers in your diet is good for combating as well as reversing health problems linked to inflammation, such as heart disease and cancer. Acne and other skin problems are included, too!
Lowered Blood Pressure
Speaking of heart disease, doctors say that another thing that can increase your risk of having it is high blood pressure. A diet that supplies the body with good amounts of potassium, which can be found abundantly in every serving of purple bell peppers, can help keep high blood pressure in check.
Regulated Bowel Movement
Last but not least, eating purple red bell peppers is good for warding off constipation. It’s for the fact that it is a wonderful source of dietary fiber, the one that acts like a broom and sweeps toxins and waste products out of your GI tract. Fiber, by the way, also helps lower hemorrhoid and colon cancer risk.
