How does the high Vitamin C content in orange peppers assist individuals managing iron status?
It dramatically increases the body's capacity to absorb non-heme iron
Although bell peppers themselves only contribute modest amounts of iron, their most valuable contribution regarding iron status stems from their high concentration of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient because it significantly enhances the body's ability to absorb non-heme iron. Non-heme iron is the specific form of iron found in all plant sources, such as lentils, beans, and dark leafy greens. For anyone focusing on managing or preventing iron-deficiency anemia, an effective nutritional strategy involves combining raw orange peppers directly with an iron-rich plant-based meal, capitalizing on this synergistic effect where the Vitamin C acts as a powerful absorption enhancer for the iron consumed simultaneously.
