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How Paprika Helps Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Paprika and Cancer
Paprika is loaded with plant compounds called carotenoids, which also give it its red color. Paprika specifically contains beta carotene, capsanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin, all of which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. (1)
Paprika and Cardiovascular Disease
Animal studies have shown that intake of capsanthin, the main carotenoid in paprika, can boost HDL cholesterol levels. HDL is the body’s good cholesterol that promotes heart health by limiting the risk of heart attack and stroke. (4) Boosting your HDL cholesterol helps to prevent plaque buildup in your arteries because it removes bad LDL cholesterol from the arterial walls as it passes through. (5)
Chronic obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. One major issue of obesity is increased inflammation, which can exacerbate chronic conditions like heart disease. Capsanthin has been shown to reduce inflammation. (6)
Paprika and Vision
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two of the main carotenoids found in paprika. These compounds have been shown to act as some of the most important nutrients for eye health and vision. Age-related macular degeneration is the number one cause of vision loss in the United States, but these compounds protect the eye from poor aging, resulting in slowed or prevented progression of macular degeneration. (7)