Sweet pepper (Bulgarian): useful properties and contraindications

Many people like sweet peppers for their rich multifaceted taste and the ability to cook a lot of dishes with them: from salads and cold appetizers to stews and flavorful vegetable soups. It not only perfectly harmonizes with other products, but also has benefits for the body. There are also conditions under which you can not use bell peppers. We will talk about all its properties and features below.

Why are peppers called bell peppers?

The nightshade appeared centuries ago in the Americas and was cultivated by Native Americans. It is said that peppers were originally bitter, burning and were not used as food, but were used by shamans and healers to prevent and treat liver diseases, poisoning and anemia.

Over time, the peppers grown in the fields became juicier and more edible, a seasoning of the fruit was added to meat and fish to marinate the product and prolong its shelf life, so appeared the first prototype of paprika spice.

Since their introduction to Europe, paprika has become well established in southern climates and has been grown in Mediterranean countries. Initially the world knew only bitter peppers, but with the development of breeding, sweet varieties were also bred. According to some sources today there are more than 100 varieties of this juicy, fragrant vegetable.

There are several versions concerning the history of the name. One of them says that the varieties of sweet peppers familiar to us today were bred in Bulgaria, and in Soviet times this country was the main supplier of vegetables, in particular ruddy peppers. Anyway, it is on warm shores that the juiciest and richest harvests are grown, and today you can get delicious peppers in greenhouse conditions as well.

What is the difference between paprika and bell peppers

Paprika is a spice made from a mixture of red peppers: hot peppers, chili peppers and bell peppers. It has a rich flavor and mild spice, so it is suitable for many dishes, including baby food, because it does not irritate the gastrointestinal tract in the same way as chili.

If you buy dried paprika powder today you can find the seasoning with the addition of other aromatic herbs and components, such as garlic and basil. They started making paprika to prolong the life of peppers: the fruits were dried and grinded into powder, thanks to which the spice retained its rich aroma and flavor, and subsequently passed it on to various dishes throughout the year.

Sometimes the name paprika refers to a red subspecies of sweet bell pepper, more flavorful than its counterparts of other colors.

Composition and calories

Peppers are a low-calorie product recommended in healthy and dietary diets because of their valuable nutritional properties. They consist of 90% water and are rich in minerals, vitamin compounds and valuable dietary fiber. Protein in peppers is only 0.4 g, fat - 0.8 g, and it is quite small. Carbohydrates are about 6 g, and energy value of bell peppers is 24-28 kcal per 100 g, depending on the sort.

The sweetest are the yellow and orange varieties: they have more calories, the average content will be in red peppers, and the green ones are the unsaturated variety, which has the least sugar and other useful substances, it is valuable in dietary fiber and phytosterols content.

Peppers contain:

1. Calcium and phosphorus, essential for strengthening bones and normal heart function.
2. Potassium, involved in regulating blood pressure and water-salt balance in the body.
3. Manganese, essential for healthy bones and blood composition.
4. Sodium, necessary for healthy chemical processes of the nervous and cardiovascular system.
5. Zinc and selenium, supporting hormonal health and a strong immune system.
6. Iron, involved in the creation of red blood cells.
7. Vitamin A, useful for vision and contributing to tissue regeneration, relief of inflammation and rapid healing of injuries.
8. B vitamins, which ensure the health of the nervous system, protective and autonomic functions of the body.
9. Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and helps to cope with viral infections.
10. Vitamin PP, which fights the formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels.
11. Vitamin K, which ensures normal blood clotting.

Bitter peppers also contain antimicrobial substances, analgesic compounds and elements that remove toxins.

In different varieties the combination of useful substances may be different, so colored peppers are recommended to combine in dishes not only to improve the taste, but also for greater benefit to the body.

What are the benefits of bell peppers

General Benefits

Light and nutritious vegetable is necessary to saturate the body with vitamins. Of course, there is nothing indispensable in the product, but it will perfectly diversify the table and bring a rich portion of useful elements.

Bell peppers contain quite tough fiber, which is useful not only for cleaning the intestines, but also to satisfy hunger after a meal. The vegetable is easy to digest, creating a feeling of fullness, so it is often included in dietary diets for weight loss.

Peppers help to maintain body strength and stay toned. Juicy fruit brings with it a sufficient amount of liquid, so the digestion process proceeds comfortably. With different features of the body, peppers can show their benefits.

For women

For example, it is useful for women to maintain a slim figure and fight fat deposits. Peppers speed up the blood, triggering active digestion and speeding up the metabolism.

Another useful property of peppers is the improvement of skin condition. Regular use of this product will get rid of rashes, scaling, traces of fatigue on the skin, return firmness and a healthy complexion, helps to eliminate toxins and slow down oxidative processes.

Pepper masks strengthen not only the skin, but also the hair, helping to fight brittleness and restore the balance of vital moisture.

Pepper also strengthens the nervous system, helping to maintain equilibrium and maintain high performance, even during PMS and menopause.

For Men

For the stronger sex, pepper is useful for its property of keeping the body toned - it is useful for strength training. In addition, it contains an ample supply of selenium and zinc, which are essential to maintaining male sexual health and the ability to have children.

Sweet bell pepper is often used in the fight against impotence to restore blood circulation and relieve inflammation in the pelvic organs.

Pepper is used to protect against baldness: a decoction of the inedible parts of the plant is used for this purpose.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, bell peppers will be useful for maintaining normal digestion and regular stools. It will help to avoid constipation, bloating and other discomfort.

In addition, the vitamin and mineral composition of bell peppers will provide the fetus with the necessary elements for the formation of the nervous system and internal organs, maintain normal hemoglobin levels and a healthy immune system of the mother.

Thanks to the consumption of peppers will increase stamina and normalize mood. This product is safe to include in a healthy diet during pregnancy. It pairs well with protein products and other healthy foods.

When breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, it is advisable to consume peppers in small portions and carefully monitor the child's well-being and reaction, since the product sometimes causes allergies. Some pediatricians recommend returning the vegetable to the diet after 3 months of feeding. It is desirable to give preference to a heat-treated product, because it destroys potential allergens, and the fiber becomes softer.

The benefits of pepper during this period is to maintain a healthy composition of the mother's blood and high quality milk, removal of toxins from the body, rejuvenation, rapid recovery. In case your baby has a rash, you should consult a pediatrician.

For children

Pepper is also useful for children. In the diet of the baby it is introduced only after one year, first in the form of steamed puree and only later as a whole. Fresh fruits can be given to a child after three years of age, if no intolerance is found.

Hot peppers are given to children very carefully in minimal quantities so as not to irritate the intestinal mucosa and allow the digestive system to fully form and strengthen.

In a child's diet, peppers are important for supplying the body with vitamin complexes, good digestion, strengthening bones, developing the cardiovascular system, maintaining normal nervous functions, vigor and activity, protection and formation of a strong immune system. Also, the vegetable provides the prevention of constipation, support for good vision and rapid healing of abrasions, scratches and other skin injuries, which is important in the lives of little fidgets.

Useful properties of peppers depending on color

In general, the composition of peppers remains constant regardless of their hues, but some subspecies contain specific substances useful for various diseases.

Red

Red peppers contain maximum vitamin C and help the body stay resistant to viruses. It strengthens the walls of blood vessels, providing prevention of atherosclerosis, has an antioxidant effect. Red pepper has a positive effect on the digestive system by stimulating the production of gastric juice. Paprika helps to control appetite, eliminates gastrointestinal discomfort, promotes purification of the blood and liver.

Yellow

Yellow peppers are rich in carotene, which is responsible for visual acuity and skin integrity. Consumption of yellow and orange peppers is beneficial for inflammatory processes for faster renewal and healing of the body.

Also yellow peppers have more sugars - it satiates the body faster and helps on diets when you need to get rid of feelings of hunger.

These peppers contain more iron, which is necessary for blood formation, as well as potassium and phosphorus. The product will help maintain water balance and regulate the excretory system. Consumption of peppers during fitness training helps to stimulate metabolic processes and remove toxins, excess fluid and salts from the body.

Green

Green peppers have a low glycemic index and normalize nervous activity. It contains phytosterols - substances that contribute to the removal of cholesterol from the blood and fat metabolism in the body.

Green peppers provide prevention of atherosclerosis and promote weight loss. This species is usually consumed fresh to preserve its beneficial properties.

Which pepper is healthier: sweet or bitter

It would not be quite right to compare sweet and hot peppers in terms of their health properties, because the substances that give the fruit bitterness, not only have a healing effect, but can also be detrimental.

Hot peppers help to clear the liver and have a choleretic effect, stimulate rapid metabolism, improve blood circulation and support brain activity. However, they should not be consumed in large quantities.

Sweet peppers, on the other hand, are safe for the body in larger portions. Its fiber enables the elimination of toxins, and micronutrients protect the skin from the negative effects of the sun, irritation, dryness, sagging, and tired appearance. Sweet peppers are less likely to cause allergies and contain more iron.

It is recommended to combine different types of peppers in the diet: hot varieties should be used as a seasoning, and sweet - as the main component in salads, stews, side dishes and soups.

The benefits of bell peppers for weight loss

On weight loss diets, it is important to consume plenty of dietary fiber. This helps to cleanse the intestines of toxins, run a healthy peristalsis, and feel satiated longer, without turning to frequent snacks during the day. Sweet bell peppers are good for this.

They can be used as the main component of a dish to reduce the consumption of starchy side dishes such as porridge and potatoes. Nutritionists recommend combining peppers with legumes to enrich the diet with protein. In addition, it is desirable to supplement the product with animal foods: lean meat, eggs, as well as nuts and vegetable oils.

The use of peppers during dieting prevents the exhaustion of the body, supplying the necessary vitamins for the proper functioning of all systems. Thanks to this, you remain active and in a good mood. The iron content provides normal blood composition, and phytosterols promote the excretion of excess fats.

The use of hot peppers during diets warms up the blood, speeds up the metabolism and promotes the burning of extra pounds. But it must be done carefully: in small proportions and strictly with other foods, so as not to harm the stomach.

Pepper helps maintain normal fluid circulation in the body, relieving swelling and helping to "flush" all the cells and systems. This is important on the diet to rebuild the body into a new regime.

Bell bell pepper in medicine

Medics have long resorted to the help of bell peppers in the treatment of anemia and liver diseases, as well as from colds and even fungal diseases. Bell peppers are also popular in folk medicine. Traditional doctors recommend using the vegetable on a diet for a number of diseases and at the same time to comply with certain necessary conditions of preparation and norms.

In diabetes.

Due to its low glycemic index (15 units), the vegetable is safe in the diet of diabetics. It will help those who seek to lose excess weight, as it creates a feeling of fullness. This vegetable is not digested too quickly, so you can forget about snacks for a few hours, and thus avoid spikes in blood sugar.

You can choose any kind of pepper, but it is better to give preference to the red or green kind, because they protect blood vessels from the formation of cholesterol plaques, which allows you to remove excess fat from the body, normalize BP and improve health in diabetes.

The yellow varieties will help to cope most effectively with swelling and improve the condition of the skin and eyes. For diabetics with complications of this type will be relevant orange and bright yellow peppers, as well as assorted.

In pancreatitis.

Since bell peppers are a product low in sugar and fat, their consumption is acceptable for pancreatic inflammation. But for this purpose, the peppers must necessarily be dietary - softened or even crushed into a puree. It is forbidden to use hot peppers, which can provoke complications of the disease. For more detailed recommendations should consult a doctor.

Gastritis

When the mucosa of the stomach is inflamed, it is not recommended to eat coarse fibrous products, which includes bell peppers. In order for the vegetable not to cause damage to the stomach, it must be thermally processed: baked, stewed in cream, steamed. It is strictly forbidden to use bitter varieties, which irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. In small amounts and in the absence of allergies sweet peppers can be useful to the body, the main thing is to be careful.

For constipation

The fibrous pulp of bell peppers promotes the natural cleansing of the intestine and increases its permeability. Such a remedy will help in cases where there is stool, but constipation consistently occurs. For best results, it is recommended to consume pepper pulp in softened form: steamed, stewed, without excess fat.

A diet with soft fiber promotes normalization of stool consistency, as well as regulates defecation mode. In cases of acute constipation, preliminary bowel cleansing with enemas is required, and only then is the diet prescribed.

In cases of gout

With gout, doctors recommend limiting the consumption of solanaceous crops, including peppers, to avoid attacks and aggravation of the disease. This is due to the content of purines in peppers - substances that prevent the normal excretion of urea. A healthy body can easily cope with these compounds, but the predisposition to the deposition of salts in the tissues forces you to avoid such products.

We should especially avoid spicy peppers, and if you like the product very much, you can use fresh or steamed yellow peppers, but in no case fry them in oil and do not smoke them.

At hemorrhoids

In hemorrhoids, doctors advise to reduce the consumption of bell peppers, so as not to provoke the aggravation of the disease. Peppers should not be eaten with open bleeding, bruises, including hemorrhoidal lumps.

In cholecystitis.
To cure inflammation of the gallbladder, rest is necessary. Sweet bell pepper causes excessive production of gastric juice and stimulates the release of bile, than strains the sick organ. Therefore, in acute cholecystitis, sweet peppers are not recommended for use.

Bell bell pepper in cosmetology

Homemade masks with carotene can quickly rehabilitate even tired and parched skin. So, in a couple of minutes you can prepare several "lifesavers".

Masks for very dry and irritated skin

Fresh pepper pulp is mixed with sour cream and carrot juice in a 1:1:1 ratio, it will take 0.5-1 tsp. on the face. Sustain such a mask for about 10 minutes, and when washing do not use soap (to remove sour cream fat, you can wipe your face with a tonic). Repeat the mask 1-2 times a week, until the skin ceases to "eat" the useful mass.

Protection against ageing

To maintain skin elasticity and rejuvenation mashed potato of 1 red pepper is mixed with a spoonful of honey and applied to the face for 20 minutes, then rinse the mass with warm water. Make sure beforehand that you are not allergic to red pepper!

Strengthening hair roots

To saturate the hair and improve their growth, the juice of bell bell pepper is mixed with an egg and applied to the hair for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with shampoo. The mask will not only strengthen the hair, but also make it shiny and soft.

Health Hazards and Contraindications

Bell peppers often cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. The product is not chemically harmful, but sometimes it provokes a rash, fever, and lacrimation.

In particular, eating bright red or dark green varieties of pepper can lead to such a reaction - yellow and orange fruits are usually safe. Rejection is caused by the pips of the pepper, so it is advisable to clean them thoroughly before consuming the vegetable.

Peppers have a number of obvious contraindications:

• Severe liver or gallbladder disease;
• hyperacidity;
• Irritations and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders;
• Gout and other uric acid excretion disorders;
• Children under the age of 3 or even 5 years old;
• Period of menstruation, bleeding.

To avoid causing flatulence and intestinal upset, it is necessary to consume peppers in small portions, and in case of unpleasant symptoms, give preference to cooked peppers rather than fresh ones.

Bell bell pepper allergy: symptoms

Bell bell pepper intolerance is most often expressed by a skin rash, increased body temperature, increased lymph nodes, the appearance of nasal congestion or lacrimation, itching in the intestines or skin, unpleasant bloating. All of these symptoms may occur with varying degrees of severity simultaneously or individually.

Symptoms may be similar to a cold or poisoning, and it is important to monitor whether they appear after consuming peppers. This is especially true for the health of young children, who have not yet begun to produce some enzymes to digest plant proteins and other complex compounds.

How to choose and store bell peppers

When choosing fresh peppers, pay attention to the stalks: they should not be dry. There should be no wrinkles on the surface of the peppers, indicating loss of moisture, as well as damage.

Sometimes mold develops near the tails - it is better not to buy such a product, because the fungus spreads toxins throughout the entire fruit. It is also advisable to avoid peppers with too dense peel - this may indicate fertilization with chemicals. A good fresh vegetable exudes a characteristic spicy flavor.

Store bell peppers in a vegetable vase at 3-5 degrees for 1-2 weeks. Also, the product can be frozen or dried and ground into a powder, and then used as a spice.

What can be made from bell peppers: recipes

In addition to adding fresh peppers to salads, vegetable stews and first dishes, it is often chosen as a main product. Thus, from sweet peppers, you can prepare lecho in tomato or steamed garnish to fish. And here are a few more recipes.

Stuffed peppers

A delicious second dish many people like because of its completeness. It is suitable for the daily menu, even during Lent, and preparation does not take much time.

It is enough to boil rice, fry carrots and onions in a pan, if the dish is meat, enter the stuffing. If the filling is purely vegetable, add green peas and corn. Mix the fried meat with the rice. Wash the peppers and remove the seeds. Stuff the base and stew in a cauldron under a lid with tomato paste until tender.

Greek salad

A classic recipe excludes the addition of mushrooms or onions. You will need the following components:

• red and yellow bell peppers - 0.5 pc each;
• tomato - 1 large;
• cucumber - 1-2 pcs;
• lettuce leaves;
• Feta cheese - 100 gr;
• olives - 8 units;
• Cold pressed vegetable oil, salt, spices to taste.

Cut peppers in half rings and other ingredients in large cubes, serve chilled.

Snack with asparagus beans

This recipe is convenient because the dish can be prepared from frozen products:

• bell peppers (assorted) - 200 g;
• green beans - 200 gr;
• leeks - 100 g;
• salt and spices to taste;
• vegetable oil.

Vegetables can be chopped into convenient shapes and fried in oil. First bring everything to half-cooked on medium heat, and then simmer under a lid for a few more minutes. A hearty dietary side dish for a quick meal is ready.

Can we give bell peppers to animals

It is recommended that bell peppers be introduced into the diet of domestic dogs and cats to enrich the food with vitamins and fiber. Give the vegetable no more than 1-2 times a week in small amounts - depending on the characteristics of the breed, the exact information can be obtained from the veterinarian. Experts say that such a supplement can come both in fresh and processed form.

Interesting facts about bell peppers

1. Peppers cause the body to release endorphins, similar to the reaction to chocolate, so on a diet to maintain your mood you can safely bet on a healthy vegetable.
2. On our shelves you can rarely find the purple subspecies, but in Europe and other countries it is already popular, distinguished by its high content of anthocyanins. These substances strengthen blood vessels, regulate eye pressure, fight bacteria and viral diseases.
3. In Bulgaria, this kind of pepper is simply called a sweet pepper.
4. Modern resistant varieties of bell peppers are distinguished by their juiciness and bright flavor. They can be grown in any climatic environment.
5. Vegetable peppers have nothing in common with spicy spice - these plants belong to different genera.

Photo of bell peppers