As a type of pepper, paprika is often dried and ground into a powder to be used as a spice, adding a lovely depth of flavor to a variety of recipes. I’ll cover everything from the calories and nutritional content of paprika to its health benefits, diet compatibility, and even recipes.

Paprika Calories 

According to agricultural and livestock products database provided by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 100g of red paprika (as a reference) contains 26 calories. Here are the detailed nutritional contents for 100g of red paprika:

Consuming 100g of red paprika will provide the following percentages of the Daily Value of various nutrients: 13% for copper, 20% for molybdenum, 7% for vitamin B2, 6% for niacin, 11% for folate, 92% for vitamin C, 14% for vitamin E, and 14% for vitamin K. 

Yellow and orange paprikas have a nutritional profile that is not significantly different from that of red paprika. Notably, eating just one raw paprika can nearly meet 100% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C, making it an excellent source of this vitamin without the need for supplements.

Paprika Benefits

Paprika, often referred to as a “vitamin capsule” for its nutritional benefits, is known for the following health effects:

Antioxidant Properties 

Paprika, containing twice the amount of vitamin C as lemons, is recognized for its ability to prevent freckles and age spots, whiten the skin, and provide antioxidant benefits. [2] 

Boosts Immunity

It also contains a high level of beta-carotene, which helps in preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases and strengthens the immune system. The lycopene found in paprika is well known for its anti-cancer effects. [3] 

Improves Eye Health

Furthermore, paprika includes lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for improving eye health.

Benefits by Color

Paprika comes in a variety of beautiful colors, including red, yellow, and green. Many people are curious if the health benefits of paprika change with its color. 

According to research published in 2021, while all paprikas are high in vitamin C regardless of their color, red paprika contains higher levels of an antioxidant known as β-cryptoxanthin. This component is associated with liver protection and improving insulin resistance. [4]

Paprika Diet

Paprika is a vegetable that can be easily incorporated into diet recipes due to its low calorie content and rich dietary fiber. However, it does not contain a lot of energy by itself, so it’s beneficial to combine it with protein-rich foods to ensure a more balanced and satisfying diet.

Paprika Recipes

Paprika is great when eaten raw, but it can be made even more delicious through various recipes. Adding it to salads with some dressing can enrich its flavor without significantly destroying its nutrients. Additionally, lightly stir-frying it in oil can increase the absorption rate of beta-carotene.

Paprika Salad

Paprika Onion Stir-frying

Paprika Eggslut