The red bell pepper is a sweet vegetable from the Capsicum anuum family. Initially green, a pepper's color transforms to red as it ripens. The red bell pepper originated in Mexico and Central America, and today grows primarily in Florida and Latin America. Purchasing an organic red bell pepper is a healthy option because we consume the entire pepper --skin included -- and if a pepper is grown conventionally, the skin typically comes in contact with pesticides. Often even after washing produce, pesticide residue remains on the skin. The organic red bell pepper provides a variety of nutritional benefits.
Fiber
A 1-cup serving of chopped red bell pepper provides 2.5 g of fiber, or 10 percent of the daily value recommended by the FDA. Including an adequate level of fiber in the diet is necessary for promoting the regular elimination of waste. This nutrient also helps slow the body's digestion of carbohydrates, improving blood glucose balance and reducing the hunger response between meals.
Potassium
The potassium content in 1-cup of red bell pepper is 251 mg of potassium, or 7 percent of the daily value. Potassium is a mineral the body needs for regulating the level of fluid inside and outside the cells, contracting the heart muscle and intestinal peristalsis that propels the elimination of waste.
Vitamin C
The red bell pepper contains a high level of vitamin C. A 1-cup serving of the vegetable provides 152 mg, or 250 percent of the FDA daily value. When the body converts food into energy, the process produces byproducts called free radicals that can damage tissue; detoxifying organs are responsible for removing from them body. The byproducts often accumulate when the foods are impure or the function of the liver and kidneys is impaired. Vitamin C can help protect the body's healthy cells from damage that free radicals can cause.
Vitamin A
The vitamin A content in 1-cup of red bell pepper is 3726 IU, or 75 percent of the 5,000 IU daily requirement. Vitamin A is a nutrient the body uses to support healthy vision. It particularly aids in the function of the retina and supports night vision. Vitamin A also supports the health of the mucosal lining in the respiratory and digestive tracts that protect the body from invading microbes.
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