Peter Piper Should’ve Picked This Pepper
If you’re going to pick just one, you might be better off red. A study recently showed that reds were the bell of the ball when it came to disease-fighting phenol content.
Phenol Defenders, and More
Phenols aren’t the only feather in a red bell pepper’s cap. According to another study, red bells are also highest in vitamin C — that mighty antioxidant that helps keep your skin and blood vessels young.
Color Me Healthy
But don’t chuck your green, yellow, or orange bell peppers. For maximum benefits, you want a colorful and diverse diet — so you get the broadest antioxidant protection.
Pep Up Your Health with Peppers
Love sweet red, green, and yellow bell peppers? Know which are most healthful?
The red and yellow ones — they have almost twice as much vitamin C as their green siblings. And getting an ample supply of C is credited with reducing the risk of stroke, one of the most common causes of death and disability in Americans.
Researchers have found that people with the lowest amounts of vitamin C in their diets have a 30 percent greater risk of having a stroke compared to those with the largest intake of C. So when you’re grocery shopping, pick up a few extra bell peppers. Midsummer is prime season for them — they’re sweet, cheap, and abundant. Still, you can eat only so many peppers. For variety, reach for other high-C foods: papaya, strawberries, cantaloupe, citrus fruit, and broccoli are all-stars when it comes to this potent vitamin.
For more healthy benefits of vegetables, browse Encouraging Health.
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