Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

I don’t know about you but I ate a whole lot over the fourth of July weekend. After a long weekend of attending BBQ’s and eating on the road, nothing sounds better then a delicious, healthy home cooked meal. But what to cook that is easy, fast, and healthy? Try making this gluten free, clean eating Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup. Here are 9 nutrition facts about red peppers you may not of known {www.care2.com} :

• Bell peppers are low in calories! So, even if you eat one full cup of them, you get just about 45 calories. Bonus: that one cup will give you more than your daily quota of Vitamin A and C!
• They contain plenty of vitamin C, which powers up your immune system and keeps skin youthful.  The highest amount of Vitamin C in a bell pepper is concentrated in the red variety.
• Red bell peppers contain several phytochemicals and carotenoids,  particularly beta-carotene, which lavish you with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• The capsaicin in bell peppers has multiple health benefits. Studies show that it reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol, controls diabetes, brings relief from pain and eases inflammation.
• If cooked for a short period on low heat, bell peppers retain most of their sweet, almost fruity flavor and flavonoid content, which is a powerful nutrient.
• The sulfur content in bell peppers makes them play a protective role in certain types of cancers.
• The bell pepper is a good source of Vitamin E, which is known to play a key role in keeping skin and hair looking youthful.
• Bell peppers also contain vitamin B6, which is essential for the health of the nervous system and helps renew cells.
• Certain enzymes in bell peppers, such as lutein, protect the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration later in life.