Adding bell peppers to your winter meals could help stave off the newest strain of “super flu.” While annual flu vaccines are the best way to prevent the virus, diet can also help bolster the immune system, particularly foods high in protective vitamin C. Oranges are a tried and true way to increase vitamin C intake, but research suggests bell peppers may have even higher levels, and the color of the pepper can influence the exact amount. All colors of bell pepper are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants — which have been shown to lower inflammation and boost immune cell function — but when given the choice, dietitians reach for red bell peppers in particular. A bell pepper's color is a sign of how ripe it is, with green ones being the least ripe and red signaling the longest ripeness. Since red peppers ripen the longest, they boast the most antioxidants. In fact, a recent study showed that red bell peppers have up to 60% more vitamin C than green peppers. Just one cup of chopped red bell peppers contains about 200mg of vitamin C, nearly three times higher than the amount in an orange. Good news for those trying to watch their weight — one cup of red bell peppers contains just 30 calories.
