Useful properties and calorie content of sweet pepper

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Bulgarian, or sweet, pepper is a common vegetable that has become an integral part of any menu. Whether it's vegetable stew, salad or regular cuts, it's hard to do without it. And a shish kebab in nature with pepper is just a delicious meal. To everything else, the beneficial properties of this bright vegetable are also added. And the low calorie content of sweet pepper makes it suitable for those who are on a diet.

A bit of history

Have you ever wondered why sweet peppers are called bell peppers? “Probably, he comes from Bulgaria,” the majority will answer. But it's not. Sweet pepper has its distribution from South America. It is called "Bulgarian" only in Russia, in the rest of the world this vegetable is called "paprika". But it has an indirect relation to Bulgaria. Because it was the breeders of this country who were able to breed sweet peppers with large fruits. And even during the Soviet Union, the flow of supplies of this product came from Bulgaria, which is why in our country the vegetable is called "Bulgarian".

And now let's plunge into history. To EuropePaprika was brought by none other than Christopher Columbus himself. He first tried this vegetable in Haiti back in the 15th century and brought only a few fruits to Europe. But they turned out to be so juicy and tasty that all Europeans liked them. Paprika replaced spices, which at that time were an expensive pleasure. She then gained worldwide fame. Pepper was brought to Russia in the 17th century.

Colorful bell peppers

There are a lot of varieties and types of bell peppers, but we will not analyze them all. Usually paprika is divided by color. And despite the fact that they are all identical in chemical composition, color still plays a role.

Red sweet pepper owes its bright color to the substance lycopene. It is a powerful antioxidant that can protect cells from toxins. A lot of red pepper and fiber, which removes all the harmful substances in the body. The content of beta-carotene in red pepper is several times higher than in green and yellow. The calorie content of sweet red pepper is 27 kcal.

There is no lycopene in yellow pepper, so the color of the vegetable is just that. But there is much more ascorbic acid than in red pepper. In yellow, there is simply a huge concentration of B vitamins that protect blood vessels from premature aging. The calorie content of sweet yellow pepper is also 27 kcal.

Green peppers are rich in phytosterols. This substance can simply accelerate the metabolism, contributing to weight loss. By the way, green sweet pepper, calories per 100a gram of which is only 20 kcal, the most popular among those who lose weight.

Composition

All the benefits of sweet pepper, of course, lies in its composition. And he's just magical. First of all, sweet pepper, calorie content per 100 of which is 27 kcal, is considered the champion in vitamin C content. Surprised? And we are all lemons and black currants. An no. That's where the storehouse of ascorbic acid is. In addition to vitamin C, pepper contains other very useful and important vitamins, micro and macro elements. Here's a look at the list.

Vitamins:

• Beta-carotene (vitamin A).
• Absolutely all B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic and folic acids).
• Vitamin E.
• Vitamin K.
• Biotin.
• Flavonoids.

Micro and macronutrients:

• Iron.
• Manganese.
• Copper.
• Yodine.
• Zinc.
• Fluorine.
• Potassium.
• Calcium.
• Magnesium.
• Sodium.
• Phosphorus.
• Chlorine.

And with all such a rich composition, the calorie content of sweet pepper cannot but rejoice. For those who want to lose weight, this vegetable is just a godsend. The calorie content of fresh sweet pepper is approximately 27 kcal per 100 grams.

Useful properties

The sweet pepper owes all its beneficial properties to its rich composition. Just by looking at it, one can understand that in paprika there is almost half the periodic table, and this is notmay not be happy. First of all, thanks to its richest vitamin and mineral composition, sweet pepper is able to protect the body from colds and increase the level of immunity. Regular use of paprika also normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, you will notice that it has become easier to deal with nervous tension and stress, and you will no longer be bothered by insomnia. Pepper is considered to be a beauty vegetable as it improves the condition of your hair, nails and skin.

More importantly, sweet peppers have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. For example, vitamin P, which is part of paprika, strengthens the walls of capillaries and makes them more elastic. And potassium and magnesium eliminate inflammation, reduce the risk of a heart attack and stabilize blood cholesterol levels. If you suffer from iron deficiency anemia, then you simply need to use this product, as it contains a large amount of iron. By the way, sweet pepper, which is low in calories, can replace chocolate for sweet tooth. Since it is also capable of provoking the release of the "hormone of happiness" - endorphin. Why eat high-calorie chocolate when you can crunch on sweet peppers?

Sweet pepper in cooking

Bulgarian pepper is very widely used in cooking in different cuisines of the world. It is marinated, fried, boiled, s alted, canned, stuffed, which is just not done with it. But still it is preferable to use it fresh, for example in a salad. There are a lot of recipes,sauces with paprika. And the low calorie content of sweet pepper has made it a mainstay in the menu of proper nutrition.

How to choose and store sweet peppers?

Unfortunately, today there are a lot of goods and products simply stuffed with pesticides. And in order not to run into such a fruit and get the maximum of useful properties from bell pepper, you need to know how to choose it. The rules for choosing this vegetable are not very different from choosing other vegetables. That is, first of all, the fruit must be clean, of high quality and resilient.

The surface of the pepper should be smooth and free of any damage. In addition, the color of the fruit must be uniform. If there are green spots on the surface, this indicates that the pepper is not ripe. Of course, you can buy it, such a fruit will quickly ripen at home, but nothing will remain of its “juiciness”. Also, the color should be bright. The dull shade of the vegetable indicates that it was either stored incorrectly or the growing conditions were not observed. In general, the surface of the paprika should be perfect and dry, free of blemishes and free of scale.

As for the tail, choose the fruit with green. Dry says that the vegetable has been stored on the counter for a long time. Also, you should be alerted by the complete absence of the stalk. Apparently, an unscrupulous seller wants to hide the fact that the vegetable has already been stored for a very long time. And you should also be alerted by a very beautiful, large and juicy pepper fruit. Apparently, he was stuffed with chemicals. In general, feel free to carefully inspect each pepper.

Store bell peppers in the refrigerator, open, for about a month. Also, sweet peppers can be frozen for a long time, the thawed product does not lose its beneficial properties.

Hidden harm and contraindications

Despite such excellent properties of paprika, scientists still found flaws in it. Sweet peppers are one of the few foods that can accumulate pesticides, nitrates and pesticides. That is, the vegetable that is grown in greenhouse conditions and which suffered from a lack of sunlight and oxygen simply cannot be useful. Therefore, try to buy pepper in proven places in winter. A chemical-poisoned vegetable can be harmful to he alth.

As for contraindications, here they are. Since sweet pepper is able to thin the blood, it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis and ulcers, are also contraindications to the use of sweet peppers.

For those who are losing weight, there is also some unpleasant news: the low calorie content of sweet pepper is not a reason to consume it in unlimited quantities. Remember that paprika stimulates the appetite more.

Sweet pepper in cosmetology

In cosmetology, sweet pepper takes the very last place, as many believe. In fact, paprika is also used for cosmetic purposes. And we can talk about the versatility of this product. Bulgarian pepper suits absolutely any type of skin, and also copes withimperfections.

If, for example, you wipe your skin daily with a mixture of pepper and carrot juices, you will notice how your face will change, the skin will be saturated with vitamins, which will give it a he althy look. A variety of face masks are prepared on the basis of bell pepper.

Conclusion

Bulgarian, or sweet, pepper today is one of the most common vegetables in the world. Probably, there is no longer a person who would not try this product. Someone immediately liked it, but someone did not appreciate the sweet taste of paprika. Nevertheless, no one will argue about the benefits of the product. Bell peppers are especially useful for pregnant women, as no one needs nutrients as much as they do.