Bell peppers

Nolanger

Is it safe to eat raw green and yellow bell peppers daily or do they have to be peeled and cooked first?

jokettle

I eat bell peppers raw in salads pretty regularly and I don't think there's aything wrong with it. Most vegetables are perfectly fine to eat raw, afaik, but some can taste better cooked. That's all my limited knowledge has to offer, I'm afraid!

RGDATA!

fine to eat raw, probably better for you too

Adelie

There was one very high-level column in Scientific American that basically says cooking vegetables is often beneficial in some ways and detrimental in others, in terms of nutrition. The only specific reference to peppers is that cooked peppers supply more antioxidants. I'd say it's certainly safe to eat them raw. Probably varying how you prepare them is optimal.

rubadub

jokettle wrote: »

Most vegetables are perfectly fine to eat raw

Mushrooms should be cooked (I know, not veg!), humans do not have the enzymes to digest them properly. In another thread somebody said the only time they thought they got food poisoning was after eating raw mushrooms in a salad. I am not sure if any veg has this effect, but cooking should increase digestability

Adelie wrote: »

says cooking vegetables is often beneficial in some ways and detrimental in others

Tomatoes are supposed to be better off being cooked.

I have read that the nightshade family of plants should be avoided for those with arthritis and/or skin conditions like dermatitis/psoriasis/eczema, these include potato, tomato & bell peppers & chilli peppers.