As early as 5,000 BCE, bell peppers, a longtime component of Latin American cuisine, were first domesticated in South America.
Although they are always accessible, bell peppers are less costly in the summer.
Green Peppers are used widely by chefs all around the globe outside of Latin American cuisine.
Although bell peppers come in a variety of hues, each colour has a distinctive flavour and nutrient makeup.
In comparison to red or yellow bell peppers, green peppers are one of the savoury varieties of sweet bell peppers and have a somewhat longer shelf life.
Bell peppers are formed like a bell and have strong walls. They may be red, yellow, or purple.
Unripe bell peppers are what are known as green bell peppers. They often have a little bitter flavour and are less sweet than red and yellow peppers.
They are a fantastic complement to your diet and are very nourishing.
Advantages of green peppers.
1. plenty of nutrients
Vegetables like green bell peppers provide a variety of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they have a high fibre content and have few carbs.
The nutritional profile for 1 cup (150 grammes) of raw sweet green pepper is as follows:
- 30 calories
- 1.3 grammes of protein
- 7 grammes of carbs
- 2.6 grammes of fibre
- 3% of the daily value for vitamin A, RAE (DV)
- 134% of the DV for vitamin C
- 9% of the DV for vitamin K
- 6% of the DV for potassium
- 20% of the DV for B6 (pyridoxine)
Green peppers also include trace levels of thiamine (B1), magnesium, copper, and vitamin E in addition to the nutrients mentioned above.
Vitamin C content is notably high in green sweet peppers. Your body can’t effectively store this vitamin since it is water-soluble, therefore you must routinely get it via your food.
Your body needs vitamin C for a variety of vital processes, such as healthy immune system operation, collagen formation, nutrition metabolism, and more. Additionally, it functions as a potent antioxidant and shields your cells from damaging oxidative damage.
The peppers are also a rich source of vitamin B6, which is essential for the immune system, metabolism of nutrients, and production of neurotransmitters (the creation of chemical messengers).
Haemoglobin, a protein that delivers oxygen to red blood cells, is also produced with its aid.
Additionally, this crunchy vegetable has provitamin A, which your body may convert to vitamin A. Beta carotene, a plant molecule with a bright hue and several health advantages, is a source of provitamin A.
Green sweet peppers are also quite low in carbohydrates and calories. Additionally, they contain a lot of fibre.
Read Also: 27 Vegetables in Nigeria, Types, Recipes and More. Go Green!
2. Beneficial to intestinal health
Having a healthy gut requires consuming fibre, which peppers are a wonderful source of.
You may fulfil the recommended daily fibre intake of 1.1–1.2 ounces (30–35 grammes) for men and 0.9–1.1 ounces (25–32 grammes) for women by including fibre-rich foods like peppers in your diet.
0.08 ounces (2.5 grammes) of fibre are present in one cup (150 grammes) of raw green pepper.
According to studies, increasing your fibre intake might help you avoid disorders of the [mfn]digestive systems [/mfn]such as colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Consuming foods high in fibre will also help you maintain a healthy balance of gut flora and avoid constipation, which will keep your digestive system operating at its best.
For an added fibre boost, try mixing chopped green bell pepper into salads, chilli, and stir-fries, or nibbling on sliced green bell pepper with hummus.
5. May enable you to keep a healthy body weight
You may maintain a healthy body weight or even lose weight by increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables like green sweet peppers.
Green sweet peppers are rich in various nutrients that your body needs to perform at their best, are low in calories, and are high in fibre. They are a great complement to any diet because of this.
However, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is preferable to increasing your consumption of peppers only.
This is because folks who consume more fruits and vegetables overall tend to weigh less and have lower body fat percentages than those who consume less produce.
Studies also show that those who consume more fruits and vegetables tend to have visceral fat, a form of deep abdominal fat that is closely associated with a higher risk of illness, in lower amounts than those who consume less of these foods.
Therefore, consider including more fruits and vegetables in your meals and snacks in addition to green sweet peppers to increase the quality of your diet overall and support a healthy body weight.
Nutrition
Green peppers really contain twice as much Vitamin C by weight than oranges and other citrus fruits, despite the fact that oranges are recognised for having a high Vitamin C concentration. In addition, green peppers are a great source of:
- vitamin B6
- vitamin K
- Potassium
- vitamin E
- Folates
- vitamin A
Nutrition in a Serving
Green peppers, chopped, in a serving of one and a half cups, provide:
- 15 calories
- 0 grammes of fat
- 0 milligrammes of cholesterol
- 2 milligrammes of sodium
- 3 grammes of carbohydrates
- 1 gramme of fibre
- 2 grammes sugar
- One gramme of protein
Getting Ready Green Peppers
Cutting around the stem is the first step in preparing green peppers. Next, remove any residual seeds from the remaining green pepper before cutting it in half.
To ensure that all of the seeds are removed, washing your green peppers now may be a smart idea.
Green pepper seeds taste bitter and don’t go well with most recipes, despite the fact that they are not harmful and it won’t affect you if you miss a few.
Green peppers are simple to cook after the seeds have been removed. They may be diced and added to meals, sliced into wedges to be eaten raw, or left whole to be filled and baked.
Green peppers that have been cooked well may be added to a variety of meals, including:
- Spaghetti
- Tacos
- Meatloaf
- Burgers
- a stir-fry
- Chili
Conclusion
Unripe peppers are green sweet peppers. When compared to the red, orange, and yellow varieties, they have a little more bitter flavour.
They are especially high in vitamin C and include a range of other elements as well. Additionally, they provide a concentrated supply of potent plant substances including phenolic acids and carotenoids.
You may enhance your vitamin intake while preserving the health of your intestines, eyes, and heart by including green sweet peppers in your diet.