Green capsicum, popularly known as Shimla Mirch, is one of those vegetables which are added into dishes to provide flavor and also to ward off diseases. Capsicum or bell peppers are also known by their different colors-like red, yellow, and green-and derive different nutritional values along with benefits. However, today we will explore some exceptional benefits provided by green capsicum.
Call it Shimla Mirchi or call it a capsicum vegetable; this colorful, crunchy amenity is eaten for its added versatility for diet purposes. Ranging from weight control to enhancement of the body’s immunity, green capsicum health benefits are many, and therefore it forms an essential ingredient in your kitchen.
Let’s explore in-depth the different areas of health benefits, nutrients, and culinary usage of green capsicum.
1. Nutritious
One of the big benefits one associates with green capsicum consumption is its great nutritional profile: it’s very low in calories but powerfully packed with just about all essential nutrients your body needs to function optimally.
Capsicum nutrition includes an adequate amount of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps in collagen production, supports immune function, and promotes skin health.
It is also a source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, important for retaining good eyesight and promoting healthy skin.
Green capsicum contains several B vitamins, especially B6, which is very important for brain development and function.
There is not very much protein in capsicum, but it still contributes a small amount toward your daily intake-which is always useful for muscle repair and growth.
2. Low-Calorie, High-Fiber Food
Green capsicum is very good for those people who want to lose some weight or just maintain a lean weight. This vegetable is extremely low in calories, about 20-30 calories in every 100 grams. With this low value of calories, it still contains a great amount of dietary fiber, which makes it wonderful for those on a weight loss diet.
It helps in the regulation process during digestion, makes one fuller for a longer time, and helps in maintaining healthy guts. Capsicum vegetable, when included in the diet, prevents constipation, reduces cholesterol levels, and is good for overall digestive health.
3. Strengthens Immunity
Green capsicum has proved to be one of the best immunity boosters because of its high Vitamin C content. A single serving of green capsicum provides the body with almost double the daily amount of Vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is a very important vitamin that comprises excellent antioxidant properties to save your cells from damage, build up your immune system, and keep chronic diseases away from you.
Compared to this, the benefits of red capsicum are still greater concerning vitamin C, but even green capsicum is not too far behind in its own right. It still does have a pretty strong punch, as it were, regarding boosting one’s immunity.
4. Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants play an important role in fighting oxidative stress, a state that may cause damage to a variety of cellular components. Green capsicum has several antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and flavonoids. These will reduce inflammation in the body, chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer, and generally promote health.
Besides, vegetable capsicum contains anti-inflammatory elements that help in arthritis or any other inflammatory joint disease.
5. Good for Eye Health
Green capsicum is abundant in vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene-a nutrient very important to good vision. Long-term consumption of green capsicum may contribute to your eyes’ protection against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, two very common complaints as you get older.
The nutritional value of capsicum contains antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which play a major role in the filtration process, protecting the retina from potential harmful light entry.
6. Supports Heart Health
It is also important to note that antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in green capsicum help in maintaining a healthy heart. The many benefits of green capsicum include reducing cholesterol levels and the high fiber content loosens such levels. When there is low cholesterol, it tends to reduce the risks of heart diseases and stroke.
The vegetable contains a mineral called potassium, which is useful in the regulation of blood pressure. A diet containing a great amount of potassium prevents hypertension; therefore, heart-related complications are very minimal.
7. Aids in Weight Loss
Green capsicum can be your friend in case you work out and struggle with body weight. It has very low calories, but it does contain fiber, as mentioned earlier, so it is very filling and eventually helps reduce cravings and curbs overeating.
Also, the factor of capsicum, though more in the hot varieties, helps to increase the metabolic rate so that your body can burn off more calories during the day. Though the green one is not as hot as its cousins, it still contributes its best to keeping your metabolism going.
8. Good for Skin and Hair
Its high vitamin C content makes green capsicum not only very good for the immune system but also a great one for the skin and hair. Vitamin C produces collagen, an extremely necessary protein to keep your skin firm, elastic, and youthful, while it repairs damaged skin cells.
Antioxidants in green capsicum act in opposition to free radicals to slow down the aging process. This reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
As for your hair’s health, capsicum vegetables improve the blood flow of your scalp to help in the growth of your hair. This helps prevent hair loss and makes your hair shiny and healthy.
9. May Reduce Cancer Risk
Among the carotenoids that may be found in green capsicum, beta-carotene and lutein, associated with reduced risks in several types of cancer. What is more, they neutralize free radicals that drain one’s cells and lead to cancer.
Though the research into the matter is still under study, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make green capsicum potentially strong against cancer.
10. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress
Believe it or not, green capsicum does contain properties to uplift your mood and decrease your stress levels by maintaining the activity of neurotransmitters, in view of its moderately enough content of magnesium and Vitamin B6. Both these micronutrients have different ways in which they may help maintain brain health. The magnesium in this food helps in the regulation of neurotransmitters across the brain and body. This helps one feel much calmer and relaxed.
Vitamin B6 participates in serotonin synthesis, which was referred to as the “happiness hormone.” From this very fact, it is involved in mood regulation and might prevent states of depression and anxiety.
Culinary Uses of Green Capsicum
Green capsicum, one of the most versatile vegetables in the kitchen, is capable of stir-frying, grilling, or adding fresh flavor to salads because of its crunchy texture and a bit sour taste that makes every meal more delectable.
Use of Shimla Mirch: Salads – Raw, diced green capsicum added to fresh green salads adds a nice crispy, crunchy texture to it. Stir-fry – Sauteed green capsicum added with other vegetables and any choice of your own protein can present the meal in a quick and healthy manner. Green Capsicum Stuffed – Hollow a green capsicum and fill this with rice, quinoa, or a mix of proteins. Bake until the filling is ready; cook a delicious stuffed pepper.
Curries and Stews: People use Shimla mirchi in curries and stews to add a mild flavor that balances stronger spices.
Grilled vegetables: Green capsicum is grilled along with other vegetables to give an extremely smoky, savory dish.
Conclusion: Why You Should Add Green Capsicum to Your Diet
Adding green capsicum to regular meals is quite effortless as it adds more vital nutrients and contains only a few calories. The benefits of capsicum needn’t be denied; right from heart health to glowing skin, capsicum has them all. Be it Shimla Mirch, capsicum vegetable, or bell pepper-this humble vegetable deserves a spot on your plate.
Note that red capsicum nutrition facts are as impressive, if not more so, at least in the case of antioxidants. However, green capsicum benefits make it very much a great substitute when the goal is low-caloric food intake with almost similar health benefits.
There, the green capriciousness is at its best, being a versatile cook and offering a number of health benefits; it’s something more than just a vegetable-a superfood in camouflage. Thus, the next time one goes to shop for groceries, one should surely pick up some fresh Shimla Mirchi and start celebrating for the magnificent health benefits that it possesses.