Think You Know Bell Peppers?

As you know, bell peppers are our Veggie of the Month for September.

But did you know they are also an excellent source of Vitamin A and C--two very powerful antioxidants that may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and several cancers?



Vitamin C, of course, helps boost our immune system; and Vitamin A is a critical support for eye and skin health. But did  you know that bell peppers have more Vitamin C than oranges? That's right, and this "miracle food" also contains lycopene and betacryptoxathin --both of which have been found to lower the risk of certain cancers.

And that's not all!  Bell peppers are also rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Folate, and small amounts of Vitamin K--which plays an important role in bone health.  So now that you're up to speed on the wonders of bell peppers, it's time to start enjoying them.  Before you go and grab one, here's what you need to know...


When buying bell peppers: Select bell peppers that are firm, glossy and plump. Make sure that they have no blemishes or soft spots. The flesh should be brightly colored and should yield to gentle pressure.

When storing bell peppers: Bell peppers can be stored without being washed in your refrigerator, where they will keep for approximately a week. However you should wash bell peppers if you plan to freeze them. For maximum flavor and nutritional value, store them whole.

Check out our Myspace blog at http://www.myspace.com/yolofoodbank/blog every Friday during the month of September for new creative and delicious ways you can enjoy bell peppers!