Benefits of Peppers

Not only are peppers a great way to flavor your food, but they are amazing for your body and health. I will cut to the chase and then- at the end of the article- a super awesome and yummy recipe for roasted red pepper sauce.



Peppers contain phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds that are found in plants. Like hormones some phytochemicals can act as messengers in the body. They also have very high antioxidant abilities. They neutralize free radicals in the body (free radicals damage cells). Each color pepper is a different phytochemical. 

There are a number of vitamins that are included in peppers. The top performers are:

• Vitamin A (preserves eyesight and fend off infections)
• Vitamin C (antioxidant, lowers cancer risk, and protects against cataracts)
• Vitamin B6 (Vital for essential chemical reactions throughout the body- which involve brain and immune function)
• Lutein & Zeaxanthin (slows the development of eye diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration)
• Beta-Carotene (protect against certain cancers- especially breast cancer)
• Lycopene (may decrease the risk of ovarian cancer)

One awesome thing that peppers contain is capsaicin. Capsaicin is a powerful antioxidant. Bell Peppers contain none, jalapenos have some, but habaneros have the most in them.  What does capsaicin do?

• Helps raise the metabolism
• Helps prevent against pancreatic, prostate, and breast cancers
• Helps rid the body of nerve pain- after the hot wears off of your mouth!

So what else do peppers do for you? Sweet or hot....

• Reduces inflammation
• Decreases bad cholesterol- helps you control it
• Boost immunity
• Controls arthritis
• Prevents strokes
• Prevents bladder, cervical, and pancreatic cancers

So all in all- peppers are an awesome way to get the proper vitamins and minerals your body needs! The only things you want to watch out for is ulcers and GERD.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

• 12-15 red and green peppers
• 3 large carrots, chopped
• 1/2 onion
• 1 1/2 cup rutabaga
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves of garlic

1. Cut the peppers in half and put them on a cookie sheet and put them in the broiler. 
2. Broil until slightly charred.
3. Peel and put in a food processor and process until smooth
4. Put garlic in a frying pan- don't peel it, let it char a little
5. Peel the garlic and leave whole
6. Add carrots, onion, rutabaga, and olive oil
7. Simmer a few minutes with the lid on
8. Add about a cup of water
9. Let cook on medium until the vegetables have absorbed the water- or most of it
10. Put everything in the food processor- including peppers and process until smooth
11. Serve over pasta 

---