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RealAge Tip

Peter Piper Should’ve Picked This Pepper

Rating: 4 out of 5
Whatever their color, bell peppers are brimming with age-fighting antioxidants. But which bell has the most -- red, orange, yellow, or green?

If you're going to pick just one, you might be better off red. A study recently showed that reds were the bell of the ball when it came to disease-fighting phenol content.

Phenol Defenders, and More
Phenols aren't the only feather in a red bell pepper's cap. According to another study, red bells are also highest in vitamin C -- that mighty antioxidant that helps keep your skin and blood vessels young. (Discover how the vitamin C in red and yellow peppers may help save lives.)

Color Me Healthy
But don't chuck your green, yellow, or orange bell peppers. For maximum RealAge benefits, you want a colorful and diverse diet -- so you get the broadest antioxidant protection. To keep yourself colorful, follow the simple rules of this diversity diet.

Ready to experiment with peppers? Do a search for bell pepper recipes in the RealAge Recipe Box.

Got a recipe to share? You can swap recipes on the RealAge community boards.
RealAge Benefit: Eating a diverse diet that includes 5 servings of vegetables per day can make your RealAge as much as 4 years younger.

References Published on 05/30/2008.
Characterization and quantitation of antioxidant constituents of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Marin, A., Ferreres, F., Tomas-Barberan, F. A., Gil, M. I., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2004 Jun 16;52(12):3861-3869.

EDITOR'S PICK
Bell Peppers


Go green . . . grow red . . . in your own organic garden. Whether it takes up an acre or sits in a window box, a garden can provide super nutritious foods fairly cheaply. Add these heirloom red pepper plants, a little sun, a little water, and -- presto! You’ve got big beautiful bells. Roast, grill, skewer, slice, and chop . . . Perfecto.

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Tips from the RealAge Community MemberTipsIcon
What are your tips for cooking peppers?
Sort by:
greengirl8
1 of 2 people found this helpful.
6/23/2008 1:57:44 PM

Bell peppers are healthy, no doubt, but they also have one of the highest levels of pesticides when not grown organically. So when choosing [Show More]
jodidit2
7 of 7 people found this helpful.
6/10/2008 11:32:15 PM

smile and laugh everyday, you'll feel better regardless.
cowgirl1
5 of 6 people found this helpful.
6/6/2008 2:31:13 PM

Make your plate look like a rainbow with as many colors as possible.
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