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healthy eating: why are red bell peppers more expensive than the green ones?

red bell peppers have more nutrients and a richer flavour profile than green.

by chris arnold
published jul 29, 2022
read time 3 minute read
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read time 3 minute read
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healthy eating: why are red bell peppers more expensive than green?
bell peppers are great sources of vitamin a and c, as well as potassium, fibre, iron, and folate. getty
bell peppers, or sweet peppers depending on who you ask, come in several colours and flavours to choose from.  similar to the tomato, they’re regularly mistaken for vegetables when they are in fact, a fruit. the easily available addition to salads and meat dishes alike is a staple for a reason, with its sweet flavour blending in seamlessly with so many others. 

where do bell peppers come from?

bell peppers are originally from central and south america, according to the usda. they were given their name when christopher columbus and several spanish explorers, on the hunt for black peppercorn plants, took a selection back to europe. 
today, mexico is responsible for about 29 per cent of the world’s supply of bell peppers, which brings in about us$1.37 billion. canadian bell peppers are almost entirely grown in greenhouses in ontario and quebec, which means they’re able to be grown year-round. however, there are some field crops harvested in late august. 

orange and yellow bell peppers are good for your eyes

bell peppers are great sources of vitamin a and c, as well as potassium, fibre, iron, and folate. folate is important because it helps form dna and rna, according to the harvard school of public health.

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the orange and yellow variety also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two substances known as carotenoids that are found in the eyes. a study published in the national library of medicine
suggests eating these bell peppers, along with other foods that contain carotenoids such as pasta, cantaloupe, or salmon, improves eye health. 
carotenoid pigments are responsible for protecting the eye from blue light, which is often emitted from artificial light sources such as phones and tvs. 

allergies to bell peppers are possible

bell peppers, like tomatoes and eggplant, are a nightshade, a type of food some people can develop an allergy to. the allergies can produce symptoms that are rather uncomfortable including achy muscles, itchiness, and nausea. 
some people have reported inflammation after eating nightshades, but according to the arthritis foundation, there is no scientific evidence that nightshades cause inflammation or make inflammation symptoms worse.

red bell peppers are healthier than green ones

it takes between 10-14 days for a bell pepper to grow to an edible size after the fruit forms, according to pepper geek.
green peppers offer the lowest nutritional value, while red peppers offer the most nutrients, according to pepper scale. because producers don’t have to wait for green bell peppers to develop a rich hue, they are often harvested earlier than red or orange peppers. this leads to less time on the vine, resulting in fewer nutrients and a different flavour profile. (this is also why red and orange bell peppers tend to be more expensive than the green ones!)
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canadian society for exercise physiology
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that’s not to say green peppers are a waste of a fruit — they are still a good source of vitamin c and fibre.

how to prepare a bell pepper

bell peppers are ready to be eaten as soon as they’re ripened, picked, and washed. but for those looking to add some spice to their pepper, there are plenty of options. 
stuffed peppers are among the more popular pepper-based dishes, since once the peppers are hollowed out they’re essentially a bowl. adding cooked meat, rice or quinoa, along with some other veggies is a simple but delicious filling. topping with cheese and throwing in the oven for a few minutes adds that extra bit of savoury flavour to the dish. 
some people even add bell peppers to their pastries! bell pepper muffins and cookies exist, just don’t mislead anyone into thinking they are chocolate chip beforehand or the reaction may be less than ideal. 
 
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
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