Pepper Power: Nutrition and Other Benefits

Peppers have a lot going for them. They're low in calories and are loaded with good nutrition. All varieties are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber. Plus, the spicy ones liven up bland food, making it more satisfying.

Peppers come in all sizes and colors. Some pack heat. Others are sweet. You can get them fresh, frozen, dried, or canned.

You've seen bell peppers -- green, orange, yellow, and red -- in the grocery store or in a salad bar. Red peppers pack the most nutrition, because they've been on the vine longest.

Green peppers are harvested earlier, before they have a chance to turn yellow, orange, and then red. Compared to green bell peppers, the red ones have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C.

Pepper Prep

Peppers are very versatile. You can add raw ones to everything from dips and salads to pasta dishes.

Roasting peppers is easy, too. Cut a small slit near the stems. Grill or broil until blackened. Then let them steam by zipping into a plastic bag for about 15 minutes before scraping off the skin and removing the stem, core, and seeds.

Toss red peppers in a stir-fry for a hit of color, too.

When working with hot peppers, remember that they can burn your skin and eyes. Wear rubber gloves while you're handling them, keep your hands away from your face, and wash your hands as soon as you're done. Keep a glass of whole or low- fat milk nearby, too. Capsaicin won't dissolve in water. You need some fat to neutralize it.

What About Weight Loss?

If you've heard the claim that peppers make you lose weight, you may want to take it with a grain of salt.

● Capsaicin: Found in hot peppers (including chilis and cayenne powder), capsaicin has been shown to boost metabolism as well as suppress appetite, at least slightly. Over time, this effect might give you an extra edge when it comes to weight loss. But it won't melt the pounds away.

Research shows that people who don't typically eat spicy foods are most likely to benefit from turning the heat up a notch. Capsaicin seems to affect metabolism by raising body temperature, which uses up more energy.

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