Just the term “peppers” applies to many different fruits. Everything from sweet bell peppers to the ultra-hot Habanera are members of this family. They are technically a fruit, but they tend to be fairly low in sugar and high in anti-oxidants so they can be included in just about anyone’s Paleo lifestyle.
Paleo and Nutrient-Dense Foods
A huge part of living a Paleo lifestyle is consuming lots of nutrient-dense foods and peppers definitely fall into this category. They may not have a lot of fat or protein, but they come loaded with vitamin C, various B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and iron. The capsaicin found in hot peppers may even have anti-inflammatory properties, making them an excellent guard against many of the chronic diseases that are associated with inflammation, including everything from diabetes to Alzheimer’s.
Paleo and Autoimmune Protocol
Peppers are a member of the nightshade family, though, and some people are sensitive to nightshades. If you know that nightshades cause problems for you, then you should definitely stay away from peppers. If you are unsure, eliminate all nightshades from your diet for at least a month, then reintroduce them and note how they make you feel.
Mark Sisson has a whole post on the different varieties of peppers and their relative flavors.
