Bell peppers are juicy food widely used in a variety of meals. They are also called sweet peppers or capsicum and can be eaten raw or cooked. Bell peppers hold a flavorful presence in everyday dishes. No matter which diet plan you are following, bell peppers give a very delicious taste.
Bell peppers are not only delicious, but they also prove healthy for human health as they contain fewer calories and are packed with good nutrition. They are a great source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and folic acid. Bell peppers have several health benefits and can also prevent you from many diseases.
Some people think that bell pepper is a vegetable, but actually, they are fruits because they are produced from a flowering plant and have seeds. They are available in a rainbow of colors and can have different flavors. The stages of their ripeness determine their color and taste.
Moreover, there has not been any research that has proved that bell peppers cause heartburn, so they do not come in that food list that needs to be avoided during heartburn.
Are bell peppers Acidic or Alkaline?
Bell peppers do not have acidic properties, and they fall into the alkaline side of the pH scale. Moreover, they do not contain capsaicin, which is a substance that gives heartburn properties to bell peppers. The pH level of bell peppers ranges between 4.8 and 5.2, making them low in acidity.
Green, yellow and red bell peppers have the same pH level. However, more ripe fruit tends to be higher in pH. The red-colored bell pepper is sweeter than a yellow and green bell pepper. Red bell pepper also contains beta-carotene in higher quantity than others; this nutrient is very healthy that our body transforms into Vitamin A. Though, the sweetness of bell peppers does not affect their pH level.
Visit the page : Alkaline – Acid
Are bell peppers bad for acid reflux?
One good thing is that bell peppers are not recommended to avoid if you have heartburn or acidic reflux. Even more, people who have heartburn problems or acidic reflux should consume antioxidant-rich foods, and bell peppers are rich in this substance. Different people could have a different food tolerance level, so if any person feel heartburn after consuming them, so it may be best to avoid them.
They have an alkaline pH level, so they do not cause any harsh effects on your digestive system. However, if you have a problem with a sensitive stomach, then it will be good to remove the skin of bell peppers before eating. This is because the skin of bell pepper is hard, which makes it difficult to digest.
Sometimes, when bell pepper is consumed in high quantities, it can also cause heartburn. So it would be best not to consume this fruit if you have GERD symptoms as they can make them even worse. It is good to eat bell peppers steamed as then it becomes easy to digest without any trouble.
See also : Are Onions Acidic?
Is there a lot of acid in bell peppers?
The pH of bell peppers lies on the alkaline side of the scale, which is between 4.8 and 5.2. This means that they are relatively low in acidity. Bell peppers tend to be more alkaline than acidic.
All colors of bell pepper almost have the same amount of acid in them. Though, green bell peppers are harder to digest because they do not ripen well. To make the green bell peppers easy to digest, you can cook them and remove their skin.
How healthy are Bell Peppers?
Bell peppers are comprised of 92% of water and contain Vitamin C and anti-oxidant in high amounts. They are also less in calories and do not contain too many carbohydrates. These properties make this fruit ideal to add to any diet, especially a low-carb one.
Bell peppers are also an excellent source of providing fiber in high amounts, which helps in the process of digestion and also in various stomach issues. Moreover, fiber is also helpful in fighting stomach acid and acid reflux because the food rich in fiber helps absorb excess stomach acid and reduce acid reflux symptoms.
Fiber makes up around 2% of bell peppers’ content, which makes this fruit an excellent source of this healthy carbohydrates.
Moreover, bell peppers are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Vitamins like vitamin C, K1, and B6 contribute to healthy gums, the formation of red blood cells, and blood clotting. This fruit also contains potassium, so it works great for heart health.
Bell peppers contain Lutein and zeaxanthin – carotenoids in high amounts, which can improve eye health when consumed in adequate amounts. They help to protect the retina from oxidative damage.
In addition, bell peppers are also a great source of a healthy substance called anti-oxidants. This substance helps remove free radicals from your body, keeping it healthy, and it also maintains the proper functioning of your immune system. Some anti-oxidants present in bell peppers also helps to prevent heart diseases and certain types of cancer.
Which bell pepper is less acidic?
Bell pepper can be available in different colors, the color of bell pepper is determined by the ripeness of this fruit. The fruit generally starts out green and then proceeds to yellow, then orange, and then finally red. But the color of bell pepper doesn’t affect their pH level. All colors’ bell peppers have the same pH level.
However, red bell peppers contain twice vitamin C as green bell peppers. That’s why red bell peppers tend to be expensive than green bell peppers. They are also the sweetest among all the bell peppers. Red bell peppers are fully ripened, allowing the natural sugar to enter the fruit and allow them to get their signature sweet and fruity flavor.
In order to lower the acidity level of bell peppers, you can remove the seeds and pulp from them and add them in hot boiling water for a few minutes. When the water is drained, much of the acidity is also be removed from them.