The Benefits of Bell Peppers

by Noor H. Salem

Although they are a part of the nightshade family along with other peppers, don’t be deceived by the name; bell peppers are not spicy whatsoever! In fact, red, orange, and yellow bell peppers are slightly sweet, especially when they are cooked. They all work remarkably well with chicken stir-fry or topped with your salmon for dinner. Bell peppers are delightful and crunchy raw and have a nice and soft texture once they are cooked. While they are mostly used for presentation; bell peppers carry a myriad of health benefits.

Are you obsessed with oranges due to their fame of being excellent sources of Vitamin C? Well, bell peppers are extremely high in Vitamin C, too! In fact, one cup of sliced fresh bell peppers contains over 150% percent of vitamin C! They are great sources of Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, and folate. Bell peppers are wonderful carriers of carotenoids and aid in strengthening your immunity. They are also high in antioxidants, thus aiding you in reducing your risk of various diseases and cancer alike. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which many people lack consuming sufficiently.

Try incorporating more bell peppers in your diet, whether in your breakfast omelet or raw atop your lunch salad. Not only will they add a nice touch of color to your entrees, but numerous benefits for your physical health. I occasionally enjoy slicing a bell pepper in half, cracking a raw egg in it, and baking it for about 25 minutes. You’ll end up with not just an extravagant-looking breakfast, but a high-protein, Vitamin C, and extremely energizing meal. While it looks elaborate on a plate, it’s tremendously easy to make! You may find several delicious recipes in my book, “Sunnah Superfoods,” as well. Bell peppers are incredibly perfect for dipping, too! Try them with homemade hummus, bean dip, or guacamole instead of the usual deep-fried and overly salted potato chips.

Next week I will share my delicious stuffed bell peppers recipe.

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, “Sunnah Superfoods,” a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other languages.