Maybe you have already seen and may have eaten capsicum. And unlike some other peppers, this is less spicy and are available in various colors such as orange, red, yellow, green, and purple. These bell peppers or capsicum aren’t just visually appealing. They’re also rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These contents make it even more healthy. In fact, the health benefits of capsicum are so many and are all impressively essential for the betterment of the health.
Furthermore, the health benefits of capsicum include the lowering or reduction of the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, relief from menopausal problems, peptic ulcer, skin aging, cancer, headache, muscle spasm, back pain, and stomach issues. Moreover, it also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial in treating arthritis. The capsicum also helps in treating psoriasis and fibromyalgia.
What is Capsicum?
Capsicum or the bell pepper is also popular as the sweet pepper. These are peppers that are less spicy than any other types of pepper out there. The color of this pepper, moreover, is actually amazing, since it may be red, orange, yellow, green, and purple. Its first cultivation was about 900 years ago in the Central and South America. However, the name pepper came from the European Colonizers in North America. The capsicum may grow in whatever climate –thus many countries on this planet cultivate it.
The sweet bell pepper is actually a great combination of a crunchy texture and a tangy taste. Scientifically, capsicum is known as the Capsicum annuum and it belongs to the nightshade category. It is closely related to the plants like eggplant, potatoes, chili pepper, cayenne pepper, and tomatoes. The taste of the purple and green peppers are quite bitter, while the orange, red, and yellow ones are much sweeter and have a fruity taste.
Very small amount of capsaicin (the substance which makes the peppers spicy) is present in the capsicum. Hence, making it less hot and spicy. Even though they are widely available all throughout the year, they are most abundant and tasty in the season of summer. The carotenoids and vitamin C content of the capsicum also have an increase when the pepper is at its peak of ripeness.
Many people are familiar with the use of chili peppers in their meals that are spicy. With a wide array of varieties of chili peppers we have in the market, it is important to know what are the contents of it.
Nutritional Value of Capsicum
The chili peppers that are from the genus Capsicum provides many nutritional values. This includes ample amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C. Both of these vitamins are best when acquired from the fresh fruit of it. The capsicum is harvested when it finally becomes red than it is in orange or yellow color. This is since they have a much higher concentration of beneficial compounds. Moreover, the capsicum also contains alkaloids, which are good as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. The contents of the capsicum made its health benefits possible.
Health Benefits of Capsicum
Here are some of the health benefits of capsicum:
Helps in relieving menopausal symptoms. The consumption of capsicum may help in relieving the symptoms of the premenopausal stage. This is the capsicum ahs rich flavonoid content.
Helps in treating diabetic neuropathy. The capsicum helps in deadening the cutaneous nerve endings and may also help in the reduction of pain.
Helps in treating fibromyalgia. Topical application of capsicum helps in treating various symptoms of fibromyalgia. Furthermore, it also helps in improving sleep.
Helps in boosting the immunity. The vitamin C content of the capsicum is beneficial in strengthening the immune system, repairing brain tissues, and reducing the risk of oxidative stress, and improving the bone health.
Hypoglycemic. Considering the capsicum as hypoglycemic may help in preventing the possible onset of the type 2 diabetes and its possible complications. Furthermore, the hypoglycemic aids of the capsicum are more when it is still in the green color or form.
Have antioxidant properties. The capsicum has a lot of bioactive compounds that are capable of providing antioxidant properties. This helps in protecting and repairing the tissues and the DNA damages.
Helps in improving the heart health. Studies suggest that the flavonoids in the capsicum may help in preventing coronary heart disease. The process of vasodilatation may allow the improvement of the blood flow, which may result in the better oxygenation of the organ tissues.
Helps in preventing cancer. This is one of the most amazing health benefits of capsicum. The tannins present in the capsicum helps in preventing and treating cancer. Furthermore, studies show that it has an inhibitory effect on the various type of cancers.
Have anti-inflammatory properties. The phytochemicals in the capsicum help in producing anti-inflammatory effects, which may help in alleviating the peripheral pain that is related to the Crohn’s disease.
