Hot or sweet, peppers pack plenty of nutrition

The Folklore: A popular legend from the Ozarks says that for peppers to grow hearty and flavorful, you must be very angry when planting them. The best peppers are said to be those planted by a lunatic. Mexican tradition says the fiery potency of chilies can banish bad luck and the evil eye.

The Facts: Peppers are really fruits eaten as vegetables. They belong to the Capsicum family, and should not be confused with black pepper, the spice. That’s the seed of a completely different plant, Piper nigrum. Peppers are neatly divided into two camps by their fiery potential–or lack of it. On one side are sweet bell peppers; on the other are red-hot chilies. The latter vary in temperature ratings from mildly hot ancho peppers and jalapenos to set-the-mouth-aflame habaneros.

Peppers come in a range of colors, from familiar green–actually just unripe red peppers–to yellow, orange, purple, brown and black. When you can, opt for red. Here’s why. All peppers are excellent sources of vitamin C–one medium green pepper contributes nearly twice the Daily Value–but a red or yellow pepper provides a whopping three to four times the DV. Red peppers also boast nearly twice the Daily Value for vitamin A–much more than green or yellow. All peppers provide fiber, potassium, folate and vitamin B6.

The Findings: Peppers are rich in a family of phytonutrients called capsaicinoids. Capsiate is the capsaicinoid found in sweet peppers. A recent Spanish animal study involving capsiate demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. The study, from the University of Cordoba, found that a synthetic version of the capsaicinoids in sweet peppers possesses powerful cancer-fighting activity.

Capsaicin, the fiery capsaicinoid in hot peppers, has gained even more respect medicinally. Researchers have discovered that capsaicin directly stimulates pain-sensitive neurons in the mouth and skin via specific protein receptors (the same protein sensors that heat stimulates, which is why chili peppers taste hot). Capsaicin desensitizes peripheral nerve endings, explaining its effectiveness as a topical analgesic in over-the-counter creams and ointments.

Research suggests capsaicin may also work as a blood thinner. Preliminary studies in animals suggest capsaicin may induce “cell suicide” in cancer cells. And some say it is useful as a weight-loss aid, perhaps by boosting metabolism or by suppressing appetite. But this has yet to be proved.

The Finer Points: Select firm peppers with glossy, unwrinkled skin (most peppers are waxed to increase shelf life). Store in the refrigerator crisper drawer or a plastic bag; use within five days.

When cutting chili peppers, take care not to let the seeds or inside membranes come into contact with your skin or eyes. That’s the capsaicin-rich part of the plant that burns. Disposable gloves are a good idea when handling hot peppers, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

Here’s a handy tip: If your mouth is on fire when eating hot peppers, don’t drink water to cool it off; that merely spreads the pain around your mouth because capsaicin is only slightly water-soluble. Instead, drink milk or eat yogurt, rice or bread to douse the fire.

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