Shimla/Capsicum health benefits

Capsicum is available in red, orange, yellow, green and purple colors and it's been cultivated thousands of years ago. It was first originated in the tropical regions of the America and now it is widely cultivated all across the world. It is commonly famous as the shimla mirch or bell pepper and also known as the jalapeno, chilli pepper, red pepper, green pepper, yellow pepper and sweet pepper.



Capsicum can be grown in any type of climate and found throughout the year however, abundantly found during summer season. It belongs to the solanaceae (like tomato, potato and eggplant). Green and purple type of pepper tastes slightly bitter however yellow, orange and red varieties taste sweeter like fruit. It contains a different and special chemical called capsaicin which provides hotness to the peppers. It contains carotenoid which provides it different color after ripening.

Capsicum is rich in antioxidants, omega fatty acids, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, with an effectiveness of these it can cure many health problems. It is very beneficial for the health as it eliminates many illnesses from the body like blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks, metabolic problems, cold, fever, cancer, body pain and so many. It contains very low calories and fat thus reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the body.

Nutritional Source of Capsicum:

Energy: 20 kcal

Carbohydrate: 4.64 g

Sugar: 2.4 g

Dietary Fibre: 1.7 g

Fat: 0.17 g

Saturated Fat: 58 mg

Monounsaturated Fat: 8 mg

Polyunsaturated Fat: 62 mg

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 8 mg

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 54 mg

Protein: 0.86 g

Vitamins

Thiamine: 0.057 mg

Riboflavin: 0.028 mg

Niacin: 0.48 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.099 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.224 mg

Folates: 10 μg

Vitamin A: 18 μg

Vitamin C: 80.4 mg

Vitamin E: 0.37 mg

Vitamin K: 7.4 μg

Electrolytes

Potassium: 175 mg

Sodium: 3 mg

Minerals

Calcium: 10 mg

Iron: 0.34 mg

Magnesium: 10 mg

Manganese: 0.122 mg

Phosphorus: 20 mg

Zinc: 0.13 mg

Fluoride: 2 µg

Copper: 66 mcg

Selenium: 0.1 µg

Phyto-nutrients

Beta-Carotene: 1624 µg

Alpha-Carotene: 20 µg

Beta-Cryptoxanthin: 490 µg

Lutein-zeaxanthin: 51 µg

Below are the amazing health benefits of Capsicum:

Protect Eyes:

Rich source of Vitamin A present in Capsicum provides better nourishment to the eyes. Regular consumption of the capsicum protects eyes from the age related eye diseases like cataracts, astigmatism, macular degeneration and etc. Capsicum helps in maintaining the healthy eyesight as it contains high level of beta-carotene and vit C.

Weight Loss:

High fibres content makes stomach feel fuller for long time thus reduces weight managing the frequency of food eating.Capsicum helps in managing weight by speeding up the body metabolism, burning more calories, reducing weight gain process, enhancing the proper secretion of digestive juices, preventing from indigestion, bloating and other digestive disorders leading to weight gain.

keeps the Heart in Better condition:

As said above Capsicum regulates the blood pressure level by lowering bad cholesterol level and triglycerides level in the body thus protects heart from many heart diseases.It also provide the relief from the heart burn condition.

Improves the Skin glow:

The rich vitamins C and E found in it prevents skin from the early ageing process, free radicals and makes healthy and wrinkles free skin.regular Consumption of capsicum makes skin very healthy by preventing from the rashes, psoriasis, acne, pimples, blemishes and other common problems.

Iron:

Capsicum helps in improvising the from the iron efficiency anaemia to the pregnant women by maintaining the haemoglobin level.Capsaicin found in it also blocks the pain transmission to the body thus helps in reducing the body pain.

Prevents from respiratory Problems:

High source of Vitamin C present in Capsicum make it able to prevent from the respiratory problems like asthma, lung infections, sore throat, emphysema and etc.