Superfood: Bell Peppers

Updated July 14, 2008
Credit: Jan Smith

Don't be fooled by the sweetness of bell peppers–they pack a powerful nutrition punch in the fight against disease.

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Superfood: Bell Peppers

Credit: Oxmoor House

Superfood: Bell Peppers Tout

Bright and beautiful red and green bell peppers have a sweet and tangy flavor and offer a bounty of health benefits. Bell peppers are excellent sources of vitamins C and A–antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, thus helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and cataracts, and to alleviate symptoms of arthritis and asthma. They also contain vitamin B6, folic acid, and fiber–all of which can help reduce risk of heart attack and stroke.

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Roasted Bell Pepper-and-Olive Pizza

Roasted Bell Pepper-and-Olive Pizza Recipe

If arthritis or asthma is slowing you down, then rev up with this colorful pizza. Olives have vitamin E and monounsaturated fat which offer an anti-inflammatory effect, while bell peppers are loaded with antioxidants which may help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and asthma by decreasing the buildup of free radicals.

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Fennel-Pepper Slaw

Credit: Lisa Romerein; Styling: Karen Shinto

Fennel-Pepper Slaw Recipe

This slaw gives your health a triple boost of vitamin C from the fresh lemon juice, bell peppers, and fennel. Combined, they can help prevent disease, boost energy, and strengthen the immune system.

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Pesto Halibut Kebabs

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Pesto Halibut Kebabs Recipe

The sweet red bell peppers in this four-ingredient, superfast dish complement the garlicky bite of pesto and are packed with potent, cancer-fighting antioxidants.

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Grilled Portobello, Bell Pepper, and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Grilled Portobello, Bell Pepper, and Goat Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

Packed with vitamin C—rich red and yellow bell peppers and meaty-tasting portobellos, this pressed sandwich is ideal for a quick meatless lunch or a light supper.

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Bell Pepper Chicken with Feta Orzo

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Bell Pepper Chicken with Feta Orzo Recipe

Fight cancer and ward off heart disease with this simple weeknight meal. You'll love the combination of crunchy and sweet bell peppers with creamy and tangy feta cheese.

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Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Credit: Howard L. Puckett

Roasted Red Pepper Soup Recipe

Bell peppers are most abundant in August and September, so make the soup during peak season to reap the nutritional and cost-efficient benefits. You can freeze extras for later in the year.

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Garlic and Bell Pepper Farfalle

Credit: Karry Hosford

Garlic and Bell Pepper Farfalle Recipe

Featuring bell peppers and garlic, this fresh Italian meal offers a double dose of heart disease-fighting power.

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Three-Pepper Beef

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr

Three-Pepper Beef Recipe

The compounds in the peppers that give them color are also the compounds that offer the health benefits, so the more colorful the dish, the more nutrients you're likely to get. This saucy Asian-style dish features a colorful array of peppers as well as green onions and sugar snap peas.

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Sweet Pepper and Green Bean Risotto

Credit: Karry Hosford

Sweet Pepper and Green Bean Risotto Recipe

The star of this creamy rice dish is the red bell pepper, which contains lycopene to help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease, and lutein and zeaxanthin which can help protect against macular degeneration.

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Roasted Tricolored Peppers with Crostini

Credit: Jan Smith

Roasted Tricolored Peppers with Crostini Recipe

Don't limit the power of peppers to the dinner plate only–serve this colorful pepper mixture with toasted bread as a refreshingly easy appetizer.

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