Red bell peppers actually start out as green bell peppers and the more time they sit on the vine, they become sweet and loaded with peak nutrition. The mineral components in red bell peppers provide several health benefits for the body. Minerals naturally found in red bell peppers help fight many health ailments, including lowering blood pressure levels.
According to the American Heart Association, “salt-sensitive” people, including “African Americans and older adults,” shouldn’t intake more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. Raw bell peppers are very low in sodium, making them a great choice of food for the body. One cup of chopped bell peppers only have about 6 milligrams of sodium. Food that is high in sodium draws fluid into the blood, increasing blood pressure and the workload of the heart.
In 2010, the Dietary Guidelines reported that a lack of potassium intake helps to raises blood pressure when a person consume sodium. An adequate amount of potassium is 4,700 milligrams per day. A cup of uncooked red bell peppers gives the body 314 mg milligrams of potassium. Combining high potassium and low sodium found in red bell peppers makes them a healthy component to fight high blood pressure.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute reports losing as low as 5 to 10 percent of body weight offers many health benefits. Foods high in fiber helps to maintain a healthy digestive system, making weight loss easier to achieve and maintain. A raw bell peppers is high in fiber, containing about 3 grams. This can have a significant impact on blood pressure.
