Pepper comes
in variety of sizes, shapes, colours and tastes. They can also be processed
into various forms such as whole, dried, grounded, fresh, frozen or canned. Some
add heat to dishes while others are sweet. The bell pepper, for example, can be
found in green, red, green or yellow.
Also read:
5 Amazing health benefits of tumeric powder
The red
pepper contain the highest nutrition content, because they have been on the
pepper vine for long period, unlike the green ones which are harvested earlier
before they ripen and change their colours.
Pepper can
be prepared in different forms, and they can be added to quite a good number of
dishes to obtain their nutritious and health benefits,, and also to add more
taste to dishes. In this post, you will get to see some of the health benefits
of pepper as proven by science.
15 Health Benefits of Pepper
1. It boosts metabolism
Capsaicin, a
substance found in Cayenne peppers, is in charge of their hot spicy flavour.
The same substance also has metabolism boosting properties. Pepper boost your
metabolism by increasing the amount of heat produced by your body, thereby
increasing the number of calories burnt per day.
This is
achieved through a process known as diet-induced thermogenesis which results in
increase of the body's metabolism.
However, it
is important to note that regular consumption of dietary pepper such as cayenne
pepper over time, makes your body to adapt to their effects and thus may reduce
the benefits you have been gaining from it before.
2. It regulates blood pressure
It is
reported that over 40% of adults above 25 years old are suffering from high
blood pressure. It is evidently a big health risk nationwide.
Various
studies on animals also showed that the same capsaicin found in cayenne peppers
may also help in reduction of blood pressure. Bell peppers are also rich in
potassium, and lots of evidence have linked potassium to lowering of blood
pressure and reduction of hypertension occurrence by 17%.
Bell peppers
also contain another substance known as quercetin, and it is also associated
with lowering of blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension.
3. Aids digestive health
Most dietary
spices that are been added to foods, together with their active component, have
lots of benefits to the stomach. Take for example, cayenne pepper helps to
boost the stomach's defense against infections, increase the production of
digestive fluid and helps to deliver digestive enzymes to the stomach, thereby
aiding digestion. All these, is achieved through stimulation of the nerves in
the stomach which signal for anti-injury protection.
Quercetin, a major constituent of yellow peppers, has been
proven to prevent ulcers. This flavonoid is able to achieve this by protecting
the body against attack by Helicobacter
pylori and increasing gastric mucus production and protects your body from
excessive secretion of gastric acid.
Unlike the
popular belief that spicy foods causes stomach ulcers, a study showed that
capsaicin in peppers may actually reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.
4. Reduces cancer
Cell can
simply be described as an abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth. Pepper is
potent in the prevention of cancer by fighting against various channels in the
process of the growth of cancer cells. Research have also proven that capsaicin
in pepper can actually slow down the growth of cancerous cells, and even kill
them in different types of cancer such as prostate cancer, skin cancer and
pancreatic cancer, etc.
Bell pepper
contains folic acid, alpha-carotene, lycopene, and luteolin. These compounds
helps if shielding the body against varieties of cancers. Leteolin for
instance, have the ability to induce the death of cells and also prevent
metastasis, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis, all of which contributes to
the growth of cancerous cells. The same luteolin was discovered to prepare the
cells which are cancerous to cytotoxicity, thereby preventing their growth and
multiplication.
Research
have also proven that vitamin C, which is highly concentrated in pepper,
reduces i high rate the risk of developing several types of cancers such as;
breast cancer, stomach cancer, rectum cancer, oral cavity cancer, cervical
cancer, esophagus cancer, pancreatic cancer, and also non-hormonal cancers.
Though the
effects of pepper in cancer are quite interesting and promising, you should
note that these findings are based on research conducted on animals in the
laboratory. Its effect on humans are yet to be studied and need to be explored
before any conclusion.
5. Improves Psoriasis
I guess you
might have come across the word "Autoimmune disease"? An autoimmune
disease is a condition that occurs when
the body attack itself. An example of such disease is Psoriasis, which is
characterised by red patches all over the skin, and such patches are usually
scaly and itchy.
At the
moment, there is no certain cure for psoriasis, but it can be remedied by the
application of capsaicin cream. The capsaicin helps relief the itching and
improves the appearance of psoriasis-affected patches.
Capsaicin
helps to decrease the amount of substance P in the body which is associated
with psoriasis. A study proved that patients suffering from psoriasis who
applied capsaicin cream, experienced a more significant reduction in the
scaling, pachiness, and redness than those who applied a placebo cream.
6. Improves skin health
Science have
proven that bell peppers are important in the maintenance of collagen, as a
result of their rich ascorbic acid concentration. Collagen is the major protein
constituent of the skin. When a body is deficient of ascorbic acid, there will
be a negative effect to the synthesis of collagen in the body.
Lutein and
zeexanthin present in pepper also contributes to sin health, and they also help
i fighting against skin cancer as well. These carotenoids are found in pepper,
and they protect the skin from light damage, especially the one caused by UV
light.
Quercetin
found in pepper, also aid the prevention of dermatitis and also the effects of
photosensitivity by inhibiting the release of mast cell cytokines, which are
the causative agents when they are excessively produced.
Researchers
in London have also proven that the piperine content found in black pepper
stimulate production of melanocytes pigments by the skin.
7. Chronic pain relief
Capsaicinoids
found in pepper has been shown to be an effective pain relief agent. With reports
from several scientists, the pain relief is achieved through the heat sensation
and also the inhibition of the production of substance P, which is the
neuropeptide that sends messages to the brain about pain. Continuous use of the
capsaicinoids diminishes the substance P. thereby reducing the pain sensation
in the affected part of the body.
In addition,
consumption of pepper that contains capsaicinoids, triggers the release of more
endophins by the brain, which are natural painkillers. .
Quercetin,
the flavonoid found in bell peppers, is vital in inhibiting pro-inflammatory
cytokine production and preventing oxidative stress. Research have proven that
excess cytokines and oxidative stress are the main causes of conditions which
results in inflammatory pain.
8. Reduces cholesterol
Pepper have
the ability to reduce cholesterol in the body by the activity of the vitamin C
present in it. The vitamin C found in pepper reduces the amount of cholesterol
stored in the liver, arterial walls and other parts of the cardiovascular
system, by converting the cholesterol into bile acids.
Lack of
vitamin C in the body can lead to a condition known as hypercholesterolemia,
which is characterized by excessive cholesterol in the liver. Bell peppers also
contain soluble fibers, and it have been proven by several studies to reduce
the levels of LDL, also referred to as bad cholesterol.
9. Aids weight loss
It has also
been proven that the capsaicin found in pepper, aids weight loss positively
through appetite control. Increase in body metabolism caused by capsaicinoids
in pepper, is also important in proper weight management.
A study
discovered that consuming bell pepper reduced the body weight and prevented the
accumulation of fat. This was as a result of compounds like capsanthin found in
bell pepper which enhance the oxidation of fat.
Quercetin in
bell peppers has also been used to prevent obesity in humans.
Black pepper
also aid weight loss since it promotes the breakdown of fat cells. Pepper
consumption is therefore a perfect way of losing weight naturally, since when
fats are broken down, they can be easily processed in the body and used in
other healthier processes and metabolic activities instead of being retained in
the body and making you look overweight.
10. Improves eye health
Due to the
high content of vitamin C in pepper, it is able to protect the eyes from
diseases such as cataracts. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, and it has
antioxidant properties which protects your body fluids, including the fluid
found in your eyes.
Research
conducted have also proven that regular consumption of diet rich in vitamin C
among aged people, delays the development of cataracts and also reduces the
severity if it has developed.
A specific
study showed that women who was placed on a prescribed vitamin C intake on a
daily basis, had a great lowered risk of developing cataracts by the time they
were 60, as compared to women who had daily vitamin C intake lower than 140mg. Vitamin C is also important as it prevents
age-related macular degeneration.
The vitamin
E, zeaxanthin, and lutein found in bell peppers are all important for proper
eye health, and they also prevent age-related eye problems.
Vitamin A,
is another nutrition that is associated with boosting of night vision and preventing corneal xerosis and
ulceration of the cornea, which is normally caused by vitamin A deficiency.
Also read:
Natural remedies for eye floaters
11. Posses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
The
flavonoids found in pepper gives it its anti-inflammatory characteristics. Flavonoids
such as luteolin and quercetin are
important in the oxidation of LDL.
The
antioxidants are important in preventing several diseases like atherosclerosis.
They have also been shown to be very effective in scavenging radicals , thereby
having anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition,
the vitamin E present in pepper enhances its antioxidant properties. It is considered as the first defensive line
in fighting radicals on cell membranes. Vitamin E is important in preventing
the production of new, harmful radicals as well as he neutralisation of the
existing ones.
12. Eradicates iron deficiency and promotes bioavailability
Various
studies have also proven that the deficiency of vitamin C is one of the major
causes of iron deficiency anemia. As a result, an increase in the intake of
vitamin C by regular consumption of pepper can help eradicate iron deficiency
in the body.
Studies have
also proven that vitamin C consumption increases the bioavailability of iron from
the diet and therefore increases its absorption. This increases the levels of
iron in the body immensely.
Bell pepper
contain folic acid which also helps in preventing iron deficiency in pregnant
women.
14. Improves immunity
Vitamin C,
which is found in high concentration is pepper, contributes a lot in boosting
the body's immunity. It activates the immune cells among other roles it plays. Vitamin
C also boosts the immune system by promoting the production of proinflammatory
cytokines which are important in carrying out effective immune responses.
Also, eating
bell peppers which are rich in vitamin E, can also help you boost your
immunity. Just like vitamin C, research has shown that vitamin E also activates
the immune response of the body and also enhances the performance of white
blood cells, which is an important component of the human immune system. Studies have also proved that the intake of
vitamin E from dietary sources, improves the body's antibody response to
several different vaccines. Vitamin E also strengthens the ability of elderly
people to resist viral infections.
14. Prevents birth defects in unborn children
Peppers are
highly rich in folate, therefore it helps prevent the birth of underweight
babies. Studies have shown that an increase in folic acid intake during
pregnancy, benefits the mother by reducing the risk of giving birth to an
underweight baby.
Even though
folate is important for everyone, it is highly essential for women as it n
involved in the development of the growth of unborn children. Other research have shown that high intake of
folate before and after conception can hep in preventing miscarriages.
Folate
consumption during prenatal stages has also been linked with reduce risk of
autism in children and also reduced risk of language delay in children. Other
studies also discovered a strong correlation between folic acid intake during
pregnancy and austere emotional problems in the child delivered.
15. Improves cognitive function
Piperine
found in black pepper has been associated by many studies to contribute in the
reduction of memory damage and cognitive malfunction.
Early
research also proves the possibility of pepper to benefit Alzheimer's patients
and also those suffering from dementia and other age-linked or free
radical-linked cognitive problems, since the chemical pathways are stimulated
by this organic compound (Piperine).
.
These are
some of the health benefits of pepper that you might know, but they have all
been proven by science and various research, You can use the share buttons
below to pass this information to your families and friends.
15 Health Benefits Of Pepper That Have Been Proven By Studies
Reviewed by Chibuzor Aguwa
on
Saturday, October 07, 2017
Rating:

It's too interesting this post, i love so much pepper.
ReplyDeleteThanks Meggy, but please maintain moderate consumption
Delete