If you’re a capsicum lover or are looking to include more capsicum in your diet, you’ll be pleased to know there’s many benefits that come with eating these colourful veggies! Capsicums are versatile, come in a variety of colours and can be found in many cuisines. Whether it’s in ratatouille, shakshuka or a stir fry, there’s plenty of recipes to try with capsicum.
Read on to find out the benefits of capsicum and why they should make an appearance in your diet.
Healthy eyes: If you want to keep your eyes sharp then capsicum is your answer. Capsicums are packed with beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that is converted into Vitamin A, which is then used in our bodies to keep our eyes healthy! Capsicums also contain a high dose of the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases.
Boost Immunity: Did you know that red capsicums have the highest content of Vitamin C over any other fruit or vegetable? Vitamin C is essential for boosting the body’s immunity, by encouraging the production of white blood cells, which help fight against the common cold or flu.
Reduce Anxiety: Feeling stressed or anxious? Capsicums are high in both magnesium and Vitamin B6, which are essential for the body’s nerve function and help to relieve anxiety and panic attacks. Increasing your magnesium intake can also settle the body for a better night’s rest, so consider having capsicum in your dinner.
Protection from chronic disease: Capsicums are filled with antioxidants which are essential in fighting free radicals. Our day to day lives encounter several environmental factors responsible for free radical damage, including stress, pollution, sun, and alcohol. Free radicals can damage the healthy cells in our bodies, so although our bodies can often protect themselves, it’s important to include enough antioxidants in our diets to help them fight disease.
Improve bone health: Capsicums are a good source of Vitamin K, which helps in strengthening bones and preventing osteoporosis. It’s also rich with manganese, a cofactor for several enzymes involved in bone formation. If you’re deficient in this mineral your bone formation could be negatively impacted. Capsicums can provide enough manganese to prevent this and keep your bones strong and active!
Now that you know all the benefits of capsicums, it’s time to head to your local fruit and veg shop to stock up and try out some new recipes while enjoying the many health benefits of this super veg.