The bell pepper (also known as sweet pepper, pepper or capsicum) is a cultivar group of the species Capsicum annuum. Cultivars of the plant produce fruits in different colours, including red, yellow, orange, green, white, and purple. Bell peppers are sometimes grouped with less pungent pepper varieties as "sweet peppers".
Peppers are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Pepper seeds were imported to Spain in 1493 and then spread through Europe and Asia. The mild bell pepper cultivar was developed in the 1920s, in Szeged, Hungary. Preferred growing conditions for bell peppers include warm, moist soil in a temperature range of 21 to 29 °C (70 to 84 °F).
The name "pepper" was given by Europeans when Christopher Columbus brought the plant back to Europe. At that time, black pepper (peppercorns), from the unrelated plant Piper nigrum originating from India, was a highly prized condiment. The name "pepper" was applied in Europe to all known spices with a hot and pungent taste and was therefore extended to genus Capsicum when it was introduced from the Americas.
Pieces of bell pepper are commonly used in garden salads and as toppings on pizza or cheesesteaks. There are many varieties of stuffed peppers prepared using hollowed or halved bell peppers. Bell peppers (and other cultivars of Capsicum annuum) may be used in the production of the spice paprika.
Sweet pepper Nutrition Facts: Calories, Carbs, and Health Benefits
Sweet pepper is 92.02% water, contains 6.32% carbohydrates, 0.21% fat, and 1% protein. If you consume one medium sweet pepper you will get 7.521 grams of carbohydrates. It is equal to 5.79 percent of the 130 grams of carbohydrates you should include in your daily diet. That same it has an energy value of 112 kJ (27 Calories) in a 100 g (3.5 Oz) amount and is a very good source of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (244.67% of the Daily Value). So if your diet contains sweet peppers, it helps your body to absorb iron from food and defend itself more naturally since vitamin C is an antioxidant, reduce probability of heart disease by fighting cholesterol, improve the efficiency of lymphocytes (or white blood cells) to heal wounds and it is effective against gout (a type of arthritis) attacks by reducing blood uric acid levels, dementia since vitamin C impacts memory positively and the occurrence of cancer. At the same time it contains a moderate amount of Copper (11.89% DV).
