Bell Peppers

Overview

Bell peppers provide very high vitamin C content, enhancing non-heme iron absorption and supporting norepinephrine synthesis. Eating beans with vitamin C-rich foods (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, citrus) improves iron bioavailability.

Recipes

1 recipe containing this food

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Vegetable Chilli

A fibre-rich bean and vegetable chilli with warming spices and slow carbohydrates for steady energy and satiety.

Substances

2 substances in this food

Lutein

Neuroprotective carotenoid; accumulates in neural tissues and retina; supports cognitive performance

Vitamin C (Ascorbate)

Antioxidant; supports iron absorption; neuronal SVCT2 transport

Preparation Notes

• Pair with iron-rich plant meals to enhance absorption
• Can be consumed raw or cooked
• Part of food synergy strategy
• Supports iron sufficiency

Biological Target Matrix

Biological Target	Substance	Contribution Level	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Hormonal Response	Vitamin C (Ascorbate)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD	Supports norepinephrine synthesis as cofactor
Inflammation	Lutein	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Anti-inflammatory properties; supports immune regulation
Inflammation	Vitamin C (Ascorbate)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Antioxidant properties; supports anti-inflammatory effects
Inflammation	β-Carotene	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Anti-inflammatory properties; supports immune regulation
Neurochemical Balance	Vitamin C (Ascorbate)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Supports norepinephrine synthesis; transported in brain via SVCT2
Oxidative Stress	Lutein	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Antioxidant properties; scavenges reactive oxygen species and stabilizes cell membranes
Oxidative Stress	Vitamin C (Ascorbate)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Key water-soluble antioxidant; works within antioxidant network with vitamin E, CoQ10, and polyphenols
Oxidative Stress	β-Carotene	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD, Alzheimer's Disease, Bipolar Disorder	Antioxidant properties; scavenges reactive oxygen species and stabilizes cell membranes
Stress Response	Vitamin C (Ascorbate)	Contextual / minor contributor	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	Supports stress response through antioxidant and neurochemical effects

References

• Norepinephrine: Same as dopamine sources + citrus, bell peppers (vitamin C)
• Eat your beans with vitamin C-rich foods (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, citrus)