Bell pepper is a fruit of plants in the Grossum cultivar group of the species Capsicum annum and a member of the nightshade family along with aubergine tomatoes and potatoes, bell peppers are also referred to as sweet peppers. They are believed to originate from Mexico, Central, Northern and South America.
It is also known as Paprika, sweet pepper or Capsicum. It usually come in different colours including red, yellow, orange, green, white and purple. Bell peppers are commonly used as a vegetable ingredient or side dish. They can be eaten raw or cooked.
Bell pepper effectively grow in well in warm, moist soil condition in a temperature ranging from 21 to 29oC(70 to 84oF). They require a fairly long growing season, often up to 90 or even 100 days. There are many types of sweet bell peppers available on the market today and they can be grown from seeds or started as seedlings. The types include: Canary bell, Big red, Coral bell, California wonder (common in Africa), Purple beauty and Chocolate beauty.
Below are some of the benefits of bell pepper.
- MAY REDUCE THE RISK CATARACTS AND MACULAR DEGENERATION
Nutrition plays an important part in delaying the development of age – related sight loss. In particular, two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin, when eaten in sufficient amounts, appear to improve eye health. They do this by protecting the retina from oxidative damage.
- MAY REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ANAEMIA
Most of women and girls in their reproductive age suffers from anemia as a result of less oxygen In their blood hence iron deficiency. Bell pepper contribute modest amounts of iron but are remarkably rich in vitamin C, half a pepper supplying as much as 100mg.
- MAY DELAY AGE- RELATED MEMORY LOSS
Research by animal studies depicts that, bell pepper consumption may be effective in preventing memory loss in those with Alzheimer’s, compounds in ripe peppers appear to inhibit an enzyme which releases amyloid proteins responsible for accumulating around nerve fibres and contributing to the risk of Alzheimer’s.
- MAY HAVE BLOOD SUGAR LOWERING EFFECTS
Research shows that bell peppers aid blood sugar management. It contains polyphenols which have a beneficial influence on blood sugar and appear to reduce the risk of diabetics.
SOURCE:
- BBC GOOD FOOD.
- GARDENERS PATH (AMBER SHIDLER)
- BELL AND CHILI PEPPERS – AGRICULTURAL MARKETING RESOURCE CENTER, US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OCTOBER 2017.RETRIEVED 25 AUGUST 2018.
ARTICLE BY ANUM JUSTICE GIDEON OBODAI.