7 Incredible Health Benefits of Paprika
Dr. Eric Berg
10/21/2024
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Junk Food: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting
Paprika is a popular ground spice made from dried peppers harvested from Capsicum annuum plants. This vibrant red spice doesn’t just add color and flavor to meals but also is a nutritional powerhouse.
From supporting vision to enhancing immune defenses, paprika offers a wide range of benefits, making it a valuable addition to any diet.
Discover three incredible health benefits of paprika and learn how this versatile spice can elevate your cooking and promote a healthy body.
What is paprika?
Paprika is a bright red spice often sprinkled over deviled eggs, potato salad, roasted vegetables, and seafood.
Originating from Central and South America, paprika has become a staple seasoning in many cuisines and is now being cultivated worldwide. This has resulted in many unique variations, such as Hungarian and Spanish paprika, offering a spectrum of flavors and heat levels.
Paprika can be made from various different peppers, including:
Cayenne pepper
Aleppo pepper
Bell pepper
Sweet pepper
Chili Pepper
Pimiento pepper
While some varieties use spicier peppers, such as chili and Aleppo peppers, other sweet paprika powders made from red bell peppers offer a slightly sweet flavor with little to no heat.
Paprika varieties are graded by color and quality using an American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) rating. Ground paprika typically scores between 60 and 200 ASTA, with higher values indicating more vibrant color and superior quality.
Paprika 120 ASTA is one of the most commonly used premium paprikas, known for its vibrant red coloring and subtle, smokey flavor.
In addition to being used as a ground spice, paprika is also available in extracts, such as oleoresin paprika. These concentrated forms are primarily used in the food industry as natural colorants and flavor enhancers.
Rich in carotenoids, including capsanthin and capsorubin, paprika extracts contribute to many vibrant red hues of processed foods, sauces, and seasonings.
Watch the video below to discover the many health benefits of paprika.
The Health Benefits of Paprika
Is paprika keto-friendly?
Yes, paprika is a keto-approved food as it’s low in carbohydrates and won’t impact blood sugar or insulin levels.
According to research published in Bioscience Reports, capsaicin, a compound found in hotter pepper varieties, such as chili peppers, can help promote weight loss.
The researchers found that capsaicin can increase fat burning, boost energy expenditure through thermogenesis, suppress appetite, and modulate the gut microbiome.
Using paprika on keto is an excellent idea because it not only adds flavor without adding carbs, but it may also help support weight loss by promoting fat burning.
3 benefits of paprika
Paprika is more than just a colorful spice. This nutritional powerhouse provides essential vitamins, minerals such as potassium, and antioxidants needed to maintain overall health and wellness.
Here are three reasons why you should regularly consume paprika.
1. Supports eye health
Paprika contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are powerful antioxidants essential for ocular health.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are concentrated in the retina, where they help filter harmful blue light from sources such as cell phones and computer screens and support visual acuity.
“Paprika is packed with beneficial phytochemicals,” explains Dr. Berg. “These include carotenoids, including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which are vital nutrients for the eyes and can help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.”
A study published in Ophthalmology found that oral supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin slowed the progression of geographic atrophy in patients with age-related macular degeneration.
2. Enhances immune defenses
Paprika is a rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient and antioxidant critical for maintaining immune system functions and protecting cells from oxidative stress.
Vitamin C also stimulates the production of white blood cells, such as lymphocytes and phagocytes, which help defend the body against invading viruses and bacteria.
Additionally, a study published in International Immunopharmacology showed that capsaicin, found in hot paprika, can modulate immune responses and improve the body's ability to fight infections by influencing stress hormones.
The researchers stated that “capsaicin is able to modulate chronic stress-induced immunosuppression, mediating corticosterone release inhibition, but also, that capsaicin significantly modulates the pharmacological action of corticosterone in vivo.”
3. Reduces inflammation
Paprika contains capsaicin, a compound known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Capsaicin inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory substances in the body, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins. This helps reduce inflammation and potentially alleviate symptoms associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
According to research published in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, capsaicin can modulate various molecular pathways involved in inflammation and pain response.
The researchers stated that “capsaicin has been demonstrated to have analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardio-protective, and metabolic modulation effects.”
Keto-friendly recipes with paprika
Incorporating paprika into keto meals is an excellent way to add flavor without extra carbs. Its versatility makes it easy to elevate your dishes while sticking to your dietary goals.
Here are delicious paprika-themed low-carb recipes.
Keto Smoky Drop Biscuits
If you’re missing bread, these Keto Smoky Drop Biscuits are perfect for satisfying your craving while staying in ketosis.
Made with almond flour, savory ghee, and smoked paprika, these biscuits are fluffy, flavorful, and low in carbs.
They’re quick to make and pair well with almost any keto-friendly entrée, including soups, salads, and casseroles.
Keto Fried Cabbage with Bacon
If you’re looking for a comforting side dish, this Fried Cabbage with Bacon recipe is a hearty and satisfying option.
The combination of tender cabbage, crispy bacon, and a hint of paprika creates a warm and flavorful dish that's both nutritious and delicious.
Keto Smothered Chicken
Elevate your chicken dinner with this Keto Smothered Chicken recipe.
Juicy chicken thighs are smothered in a savory cream sauce with mushrooms, onions, and bacon, all seasoned with paprika for an extra kick of flavor.
Keto Salmon Cakes
These Keto Salmon Cakes are a tasty way to enjoy seafood on a keto diet.
They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while paprika adds a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the salmon. These cakes are quick to prepare and make an excellent appetizer or main dish.
Key takeaways
Paprika is a vibrant red spice made from dried peppers of the Capsicum annuum family. It's renowned for its robust flavors and impressive nutritional profile, which offers a variety of essential nutrients and antioxidants.
Three incredible health benefits of paprika include its potential to support vision, reduce inflammation, and enhance the body’s ability to fight infections.
As a low-carb keto-friendly spice, adding paprika to your diet is an excellent way to enjoy these health advantages while infusing your meals with rich, savory flavors.
FAQ
1. What are the top benefits of paprika?
Paprika is a rich source of antioxidants, supports eye and heart health, helps reduce inflammation, and may enhance immune function, digestion, and weight management.
2. Can I have paprika on keto?
Yes, paprika is keto-friendly. It’s low in carbs and adds flavor to your meals without interfering with ketosis.
3. How can I use paprika?
Paprika is an excellent seasoning for vegetables, soups, salads, and seafood. It adds color and flavor and can be used to make spice blends, rubs, and marinades.
Hungarian paprika has an especially distinct sweet flavor profile and deep color, making it an excellent spice for dishes such as goulash and chicken paprikash.
4. What does paprika do for your body?
Paprika has been found to help support eye health, aid digestion, reduce inflammation, strengthen immune functions, and support weight management.
5. Is it okay to eat paprika every day?
Yes, consuming paprika in moderate amounts daily is generally safe.
However, those with gastrointestinal issues or sensitivities to nightshade vegetables may benefit from limiting paprika intake as it could potentially exacerbate symptoms.
6. Who should avoid consuming paprika?
Individuals with pepper allergies, gastrointestinal conditions, or who are sensitive to nightshade vegetables should avoid or limit paprika to prevent potential digestive upset.
7. How do you store paprika?
It’s recommended to store paprika in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This helps preserve its freshness and prevents the spice from losing potency.
Sources
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