Useful properties and calorie content of sweet pepper

Bulgarian, or sweet, pepper is a common vegetable that has become an integral part of any menu. Whether it's vegetable stew, salad or usual slicing, it's hard to do without it. A shish kebab in nature with pepper - it's just delicious. In addition, other useful properties of this bright vegetable are added. A low calorie sweet pepper allows you to eat it for those who are on a diet.

A bit of history

Have you ever wondered why sweet peppers are called Bulgarian? "Probably, he comes from Bulgaria" - the majority will answer. But this is not so. Sweet pepper has spread from South America. "Bulgarian" it is called only in Russia, in the rest of the world this vegetable is called "paprika". But to Bulgaria, he has an indirect relationship. Because it was the breeders of this country who were able to produce sweet pepper with large fruits. And even in the days of the Soviet Union, the flow of supplies of this product was coming from Bulgaria, that's why in our country the vegetable is called "Bulgarian".

And now we shall plunge into history. In Europe, the paprika was brought by none other than Christopher Columbus himself. He first tried this vegetable in Haiti in the 15th century and brought only a few fruits to Europe. But they were so juicy and tasty that they pleased all Europeans. Paprika replaced spices, which at that time were not cheap pleasure. Then she gained worldwide fame. In Russia, pepper was brought in the 17th century.

Multicolored sweet pepper

Varieties and types of Bulgarian pepper there is a huge variety, but we will not disassemble them. Usually paprika is divided by color. And despite the fact that the chemical composition of all of them are identical, yet color plays a role.

Red sweet peppers owe such a bright color to the substance of lycopene. It is a powerful antioxidant that is able to protect cells from toxins. A lot in red pepper and fiber, which displays all the harmful substances that are in the body. The content of beta-carotene in red pepper is several times higher than in green and yellow. Caloric content of sweet pepper red is 27 kcal.

In yellow pepper there is no lycopene, so the color of a vegetable is exactly this. But ascorbic acid is much more than in red pepper. In yellow, just a huge concentration of B vitamins, which protect the vessels from premature aging. Calorie content of sweet yellow pepper is also 27 kcal.

Green pepper is rich in phytosterol. This substance is able to simply disperse the metabolism, promoting weight loss. By the way, green sweet pepper, the caloric value per 100 grams of which is only 20 kcal, is the most popular among the slimming ones.

Composition

All the benefits of sweet pepper, of course, lies in its composition. And he's just magical. First of all, sweet pepper, the caloric value per 100 of which is 27 kcal, is considered the record holder for vitamin C. Surprised? And we are all lemons and black currants. But no. That's where the fount of ascorbic. In addition to vitamin C, pepper contains other very useful and important vitamins, micro- and macro elements. Here we offer a look at the list.

Vitamins:

• Beta-carotene (vitamin A).
• Absolutely all the vitamins of group B (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic and folic acid).
• Vitamin E.
• Vitamin K.
• Biotin.
• Flavonoids.

Micro- and macro elements:

• Iron.
• Manganese.
• Copper.
• Iodine.
• Zinc.
• Fluorine.
• Potassium.
• Calcium.
• Magnesium.
• Sodium.
• Phosphorus.
• Chlorine.

And with all this rich composition, the calorie content of sweet pepper can not but rejoice. For those who want to lose weight this vegetable is just a godsend. Caloric content of fresh sweet pepper is about 27 kcal per 100 grams.

Beneficial features

All its useful properties, sweet pepper is due to its rich composition. Just looking at him, you can understand that in a paprika almost a half a table of Mendeleev, and this can not but rejoice. First of all, thanks to its rich vitamin-mineral composition, sweet pepper is able to protect the body from colds and increase the level of immunity. Regular use of paprika also normalizes the work of the nervous system, you will notice that it is easier to combat nervous overstrain and stress, and you will no longer be disturbed by insomnia. It is believed that sweet pepper is a vegetable for beauty, because when you consume it, you will improve the condition of your hair, nails and skin.

More importantly, sweet pepper has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. For example, vitamin P, which is part of the paprika, strengthens the walls of the capillaries and makes them more elastic. A potassium and magnesium eliminate inflammation, reduce the risk of heart attacks and stabilize the level of cholesterol in the blood. If you suffer from iron deficiency anemia, then you just need to use this product, since it contains a large amount of iron. By the way, sweet pepper, the calorie content of which is not high, can replace chocolate sweet chocolate. Since it is also capable of provoking the release of the "hormone of happiness" - endorphin. Why is there a high-calorie chocolate, when you can crack a sweet pepper?

Sweet pepper in cooking

Bulgarian peppers are very widely used in cooking various cuisines around the world. It is marinated, fried, boiled, salted, preserved, stuffed, that only with it they do not. But it is still preferable to use it fresh, for example in a salad. There are a huge number of recipes for dishes, sauces with paprika. A low calorie sweet pepper made it the basis in the menu of proper nutrition.

How to choose and store sweet peppers?

Unfortunately, today there are a lot of goods and products that are simply stuffed with pesticides. And in order not to run into such a fruit and get the maximum of useful properties from the Bulgarian pepper, you need to know how to choose it. The rules for choosing this vegetable do not differ much from the choice of other vegetables. That is, first of all, the fruit should be clean, qualitative and elastic.

The surface of the pepper should be smooth and not have any damage. In addition, the color of the fetus should be uniform. If there are spots of green on the surface, this indicates that the pepper is not ripe. Of course, you can buy it, such a fruit will quickly ripen at home, but there will be nothing left of its "succulence". Also the color should be bright. The dull shade of the vegetable suggests that it was either stored incorrectly or did not comply with the growing conditions. In general, the surface of the paprika should be ideal and dry, without dots and without plaque.

As for the tail, then choose a fruit with green. Dry says that the vegetable has been stored for a long time on the counter. Also you should be alerted to the complete absence of the peduncle. Apparently, the dishonest seller wants to hide the fact that the vegetable has already been stored well for a very long time. And you should be alerted by a very beautiful, large and juicy pepper fruit. Apparently, it was something they stuffed with chemicals. In general, do not hesitate to carefully inspect each pepper.

Keep the sweet pepper in the fridge in the open for about a month. Also, sweet peppers can be frozen for a long time, the defrosted product does not lose its useful properties.

Hidden harm and contraindications

Despite such excellent properties of paprika, scientists still found in it flaws. Sweet pepper is one of the few products that can accumulate pesticides, nitrates and pesticides. That is, that vegetable, which is grown in greenhouse conditions and which suffered from a lack of sunlight and oxygen, simply can not be useful. Therefore, try to buy pepper in checked places in winter. Poisoned vegetables can cause harm to health.

As for contraindications, here they are. Since sweet peppers can dilute blood, people with high blood pressure are not recommended. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis and ulcers, are also contraindications to the use of sweet pepper.

For those who lose weight, there is also a bit of unpleasant news: the low calorie content of sweet pepper is not a reason to absorb it in unlimited quantities. Remember that the paprika is more exciting appetite.

Sweet pepper in cosmetology

In cosmetology, sweet pepper takes on the very last place, as many believe. In fact, paprika is used for cosmetic purposes. And we can talk about the universality of this product. Bulgarian peppers fit absolutely any type of skin, and also copes with imperfections.

If, for example, you rub your skin daily with a mixture of pepper and carrot juices, you will notice how your face will change, the skin will be saturated with vitamins, which will give it a healthy appearance. On the basis of the Bulgarian pepper prepare a variety of facials.

Conclusion

Bulgarian, or sweet, pepper today is one of the most common vegetables in the world. Probably, there is no longer a person who did not try this product. Someone immediately fell in love with him, but someone did not appreciate the sweet taste of paprika. Nevertheless, nobody will argue about the benefits of the product. Bulgarian pepper is especially useful to pregnant women, since no one needs so much useful substances like them.