Red Bell Pepper Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Whether fresh or roasted, red bell peppers have a rich sweet taste that is similar to eating candy, only it's good for you. This sweet vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals and provides a quick refreshing snack on a hot summer day. Unlike many vegetables, there's no need for a dip with a red bell pepper, it has its own distinctive flavor you'll want to savor without covering it up.

Health Benefits of Red Bell Peppers

Like many brightly colored fruits and vegetables, the red bell pepper contains phytochemicals that provide high antioxidant benefits. These chemicals are powerful antioxidants and include zeaxanthin, coumeric acid and chlorogenic acid. In addition, the red peppers also have a generous amount of lycopene, one of the carotenes found particularly beneficial in preventing cancer and heart disease. In addition, red bell pepper also contains carotene, vitamin C, B6 and folic acid.

If there were no other reason to eat sweet bell peppers, simply consuming them for the antioxidants they contain would be enough. The antioxidants help prevent cell damage from free radicals. Free radicals occur when an oxygen atom contains an odd number of electrodes. Electrodes travel in pairs and so the oxygen steals away an electrode from the body, causing a chain reaction of chemical events at the level of the atoms. This reaction changes substance such as cell membranes. The changes eventually lead to the death of the cell. When enough cells die or change, the body develops disease, ages or dies. Antioxidants give up an electrode and prevent damage to the body.

The consumption of red bell peppers helps fight cancer and heart disease not only because of its antioxidant properties but also due to the high dietary fiber, vitamins and other nutrients found in the pepper. One study showed that the high content of vitamin A in the diet, something contained in the red bell pepper, is often a reason many smokers never develop emphysema. Vitamin A protects the lung tissue from damage.

More Red Bell Pepper Nutrition Facts

The high vitamin C and A content can also aid in preventing cataracts, blocked arteries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and joint pain. A low consumption of foods rich in vitamin C makes you three times more likely to develop the changes found in rheumatoid arthritis.

Red Bell Pepper Calories

Red bell peppers also contain vitamin K, manganese, potassium, thiamin, vitamin E, tryptophan, copper and molybdenum. All these are necessary for a healthy body. However, despite all the benefits, the red bell pepper has very few calories.

This makes it an ideal snack for dieter, children and just about anyone that wants a tasty, healthy treat. One cup contains about 24 calories. You could eat two red bell peppers sliced and not make a significant impact on your calorie count for the day.

Carbs in Red Bell Peppers

That same cup of red bell peppers is not as beneficial to the carbohydrate counter, although far better than other foods.  It contains only about four to six grams of carbohydrates. If you're trying to keep your carbohydrate count down, consider including at least some red bell pepper in your diet. Even though it does have a higher carbohydrate count than some vegetables, the powerful antioxidants and nutrients make it a wonderful addition to the diet.