Your Skin Loves Yellow Peppers

Want healthier skin and fewer wrinkles?

Yellow bell peppers are one of the most abundant sources of Vitamin C. The body depends on Vitamin C to form collagen, a protein that provides strength, support and elasticity to skin, hair, muscles and other tissues. Collagen also assists with cell regrowth and repair. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which can lead to reduced elasticity of the skin and more wrinkles.

Why not eat oranges, famous for their Vitamin C, instead? A typical large orange contains 163% of the recommended daily value (DV) of Vitamin C. That's good - but just half a yellow bell pepper contains nearly 300% of the DV of Vitamin C. (Red and green peppers have less vitamin C than yellow ones but still are excellent sources.)

Eat yellow peppers raw to maximize the nutrient content. Vitamin C is sensitive to cooking and as a water-soluble Vitamin, leaches into cooking water. If you prefer to cook yellow peppers, keep the heat as low as possible for your recipe. Use the cooking juices, too (whenever possible) so the Vitamin C in the water is not wasted.

Torey Armul, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, registered dietitian, nutritionist and national media spokesperson for the Acadey of Nutrition and Dietetics.