Paprika is Great For Your Health!
Paprika, the vibrant, red, aromatic ground
spice made from peppers (in the Capsicum annuum family), is used to add
flavor to numerous dishes. This group of spices includes sweet, mild,
red bell peppers, hot chili peppers, cayenne peppers, poblano peppers,
or Aleppo peppers. Paprika is known to have a smoky, slightly sweet
flavor. The color of the spice varies from deep red to orange-red. The
spice is commonly used as a garnish in dishes like deviled eggs, hummus,
or potato salad, but it can also be added to meat dishes, vegetable
stews, and soups.
Did you know that this delicious seasoning
also has numerous health benefits? Paprika is rich in vitamins and
minerals, contains lots of antioxidants, and can even help prevent
cancer! Read on to discover the many amazing uses of this incredible red
powder.
1. Paprika is loaded with nutrients
Paprika is a nutrient-rich spice. It’s low in calories and doesn’t have
any sodium or cholesterol. Moreover, it also doesn’t contain any
saturated fats and is crammed with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and
vitamin E.
1 tablespoon (6.8 grams) of paprika powder provides:
-
Calories: 19
- Protein: 0.325 g
- Fat: 0.296 g
- Carbs: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Vitamin A: 19% of the Daily Value
- Vitamin E: 13% of the Daily Value
- Vitamin B6: 9% of the Daily Value
- Iron: 8% of the Daily Value.
One tablespoon of paprika is enough to fulfill your daily vitamin A
needs. And while it’s unlikely that you will be consuming this spice
enough to make a significant difference to your diet, having it daily
can promote healthy digestion by increasing saliva and stomach acids.
This helps in breaking down food and making nutrients available for
energy.
2. May help prevent cancer
Paprika also provides you with antioxidants
known as carotenoids. They are plant compounds that offer such health
benefits as a reduced risk of certain diseases, particularly some forms
of cancer. Carotenoids are found in the cells of an array of plants,
particularly those with bright rich colors, like peppers are used to
make paprika powder.
The carotenoids typically found in paprika are beta-carotene,
beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein or zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene, lutein, and
zeaxanthin have been shown to combat oxidative stress, which is
believed to increase your risk of certain cancers. Furthermore, a study
of almost 2,000 women found that participants with the highest blood
levels of beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids had a
25–35% lower chance of developing breast cancer.
3. It’s great for the eyes
As we mentioned, paprika contains vitamin A, lutein, and zeaxanthin. All
of these may also boost eye health. Studies have shown that the
antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, in particular, may prevent eye
damage. Also, research suggests that the carotenoids present in paprika
can provide protection against eye diseases as well. Additionally, the
presence of vitamin B6 in paprika helps keep your eyes healthy. Studies
indicate that the consumption of vitamin B6 can lower the onset of
macular degeneration and other eye-related diseases.
4. Can improve cholesterol levels
Research says that paprika may improve your cholesterol levels. One
study found that capsanthin, the carotenoid found in paprika, can help
raise levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, which is linked with a lower
risk of heart disease.
Another 12-week study in 100 healthy adults showed that the participants
who took a supplement containing 9 mg of paprika carotenoids daily had
notably lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which is associated with
an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, the total cholesterol
levels of those who took paprika were lower than those who got the
placebo.
5. May help maintain bone health
Paprika is rich in calcium, potassium, and
phosphorus, which are all vital for maintaining healthy bones and
muscles. Phosphorus, especially, is an important mineral for maintaining
bone shape and strength, and a regular dash of this spice in your diet
should help keep the connective tissues in the body strong. Phosphorus
also helps keep our teeth, gums, and jaws strong, as it controls calcium
absorption. Without it, the calcium in our body goes to waste.
6. Helps keep anemia in check
Since paprika contains a good amount of iron and Vitamin E, it helps the
body in producing red blood cells.
Vitamin E is needed to create healthy membranes for the body’s red blood
cells while iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, a red protein
responsible for transporting oxygen throughout our body. Deficiencies in
these two nutrients may lower your red blood cell count and can lead to
anemia. It is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red
blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen to your body's tissues.
Anemia is marked by symptoms like fatigue, weakness, shortness of
breath, dizziness, and chest pain, but it may also contribute to other
illnesses. For example, one study in 200 young women linked low iron
consumption to a significant increase in the risk of anemia, compared
with those who had sufficient intake.
7. May help manage diabetes
The capsaicin in paprika has the potential to help regulate blood sugar
levels and manage diabetes. A 4-week study in 42 pregnant women with
diabetes concluded that taking 5 mg of a capsaicin supplement every day
considerably decreased post-meal blood sugar levels compared to a
placebo.
Another study found that adults who followed a diet rich in
capsaicin-containing chili pepper had a marked decrease in their blood
insulin levels after meals compared to those who followed a chili-free
diet. Lower insulin levels usually signify better blood sugar control.
How to use paprika powder
Benefits of Paprika,
Paprika originated from the West Indies and
South America, and it is majorly manufactured in Hungary, Spain, South
America, and California. Today, the popular spice is widely used in
Europe, Africa, and Asia. Paprika comes in three main varieties that
differ in taste and color: regular or basic paprika, Hungarian paprika,
and Spanish paprika.
As we mentioned earlier, this delicious spice is typically used as a
seasoning for meats, potato salad, and eggs. In addition, you can
sprinkle a dash of paprika powder on meals like hard-boiled eggs,
salads, cooked rice, chopped veggies, and even sauces or dips. Its smoky
and sweet flavor will go particularly well with rice, seafood, and bean
dishes. But if you want a spicier kick in your meals, you can use hot
paprika to add to soups and stews.
What's more, you can strengthen paprika's
flavor profile by adding it to meat. Some people even use paprika in
cocktails and on warm or spicy beverages. Use paprika in typical amounts
required for cooking and don’t go overboard with it because some spices
have been known to cause allergic reactions. Ground paprika lasts
between two and three years, and it should be stored the same way you
store all of your dried spices - in a cool, dry place inside an airtight
container.
Labels: B6, calcium, capsaicin, good for eyes, improve cholesterol levels, Iron, keeps anemia in check, lower blood insulin levels, manage diabetes, paprika, phosphorus, potassium, prevents cancer, Vit. A
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