Calories in Bell Pepper

I am not going to discuss whether bell pepper is a fruit or vegetable. I just enjoy eating bell peppers! If you are fond of eating stuffed peppers, you can use different types of peppers and can make the dish colorful and tasty. You must have noticed how bright, colorful peppers, arranged systematically in a tray in the supermarket attract the customers. Bell peppers are commonly known as capsicum.

Types of Bell Peppers

Green, orange, red, purple, brown, black, ivory and yellow peppers are some of the commonly available types of bell peppers. Bhut jolokia or naga jolokia is the name of the hottest pepper in the world. It is found in Assam, Nagaland and nearby areas in India. The amount of capsaicin (the chemical compound) in pepper determines the piquancy of pepper. The piquancy of peppers is measured with the help of 'Scoville scale'. Scoville Heat Units (SHU) or Scoville Ratings (SR) inform us about the amount of capsaicin present in a pepper. The SR for the hottest pepper in the world Bhut jolokia is around 1 million while the SR for Jalapeño pepper ranges between 2,500 and 8,000.

Hot peppers or chili peppers and ornamental peppers are known for their distinctive characteristics. Peppers are used in all types of cooking and they go well with almost all types of foods. They are baked, barbecued, steamed, stir-fried or stuffed. Sweet bell peppers (capsicum) are added to salads or are used as vegetables. It has been observed that people are usually not aware of the health benefits offered by bell peppers though peppers are available throughout the year.

Calories

Description	Quantity	Approximate Calories
Calories in red pepper	1 medium raw (119 g)	30
Calories in green bell pepper	1 medium raw (119 g)	30
Calories in yellow bell peppers	741 grams	200
Calories in green bell peppers salad bar (by Souper Salad)	1/4th cup	10
Calories in red bell peppers stir-fried (without oil)	1 cup strips (135 g)	38

Nutrition Facts

Bell peppers are rich in various vitamins like vitamin A, B6, C, thiamin, niacin, E and minerals like iron, calcium and manganese. They are also a good source of potassium. Moreover, bell peppers are high in dietary fiber which helps improve your digestive health. But you are supposed to consume bell peppers in moderate quantity as they are high in sugars too. Bell peppers do not contain cholesterol. Sodium content in bell peppers is also negligible. They provide some amount of omega 3 fatty acids. Red and orange peppers are rich in antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein which help improve your health in several ways.

Health Benefits

Calories in bell peppers being low, they can be included in all types of diets. Phytosterols from green bell peppers help Lower Bad Cholesterol (LDL) levels in your body. Manganese from bell peppers helps stabilize glucose levels in the body. It also helps strengthen your bones and muscles. Potassium enhances the functions of muscles. Other minerals like iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and copper help improve circulation of oxygen throughout the body and thereby the function of the nerves. They also help strengthen teeth and bones and promote DNA creation. Vitamins present in bell peppers help strengthen the muscles and the immune system. They help enhance hormone functions. All these nutrients help maintain pH level in the body, promote blood clotting and help fight infections.

Bell peppers are enjoyed for their distinctive flavors. Pickled and bottled bell peppers are also available in market. You now know that bell peppers are low in calories. So include them in recipes to add flavor and enjoy the health benefits of bell peppers.