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There are some risks involved with bell pepper consumption in some people.
Bell pepper allergy
It is possible to have an allergy to bell peppers. An allergy to bell peppers is due to a cross-reaction between the vegetable and pollen.
If people think they may have an allergy to bell peppers, they can see their doctor for a skin prick test to check.
Nightshade allergy
Peppers are part of a family of vegetables known as nightshades. Some people might find that consuming nightshades causes irritation to the gut or increases inflammation.
But some people can mistake an allergy for an intolerance. With an intolerance, a person may experience some digestive issues after eating the food. With an allergy, they could experience more serious issues, such as breathing problems or a rash.
Learn about nightshade allergies here.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, there is no scientific evidence to suggest nightshades cause inflammation.
A small 2017 study looked at the effects of a diet that eliminated nightshades, along with grains, legumes, and alcohol, on people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The study involved 18 adults with mild to moderate IBD. After 3 weeks, participants reported a significant reduction in some symptoms, such as frequency of bowel movements. But it is impossible to say whether these improvements were due to eliminating nightshades or another dietary component.
If people want to test whether nightshades trigger inflammatory symptoms, they can eliminate all nightshades from their diet for a couple of weeks. People can then gradually add nightshades back into their diet and observe any changes. *
