What are paprika benefits and side effects? Is paprika low fodmap? Gluten free? Acidic or alkaline? Vegan? Good for you? Healthy? Sustainable? Here are paprika pros and cons: all the info on paprika that every ethical consumer wants to know…
Food is something we consume every day and if you’re like me, you do all the research you can to make sure you don’t hurt yourself, the planet, animals or others when shopping. As an ethical consumer myself, I am giving you all the info I’ve found on paprika benefits and side effects.
You are going to learn all about paprika benefits and side effects. This will include paprika benefits for your health and potential risks, paprika water footprint and paprika carbon footprint, paprika sustainability, if paprika is vegan or impact animals in other ways, and much more.
After learning if paprika is good or bad for you, the environment, animals and human rights, you will be able to make the best choices you can the next time you buy food.
This post is all about paprika benefits and side effects that every ethical consumer should know.
Paprika Benefits And Side Effects
Health
Paprika benefits for health may include:
- better eye health
- decreased pain and swelling
- improved blood sugar control
- lowered risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts
- good vision
- protection against arthritis, nerve damage, and digestive issues
- treat and prevent anemia
- boosted immunity
- cardiovascular health
- detoxification
- diabetes management
- heart health
- improved cholesterol levels
- reduced risk of chronic illnesses including heart disease and cancer
- lower blood pressure
- cancer prevention
- reduced inflammation
- skin health
- weight loss
Paprika side effects may include:
- pesticide consumption if not organic
- do not over-consume, be sure to eat in moderation as with any food
Additionally, paprika is…
- Alkaline 8.0 pH level (fresh) once digested
- Gluten Free
- Not a common Food Allergen
- A Nightshade Food
- Low Fodmap
Environment
Water footprint: high, it takes 7,048 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of dried spices / 845 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of dried spices
Carbon footprint: low, 1.6 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of spices, a car driving equivalent of 3.75 miles or 6 kilometers
Destruction: low, paprika production is relatively sustainable, there is no known significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. as long as pesticides have not been used, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc.
Paprika is…
- Sustainable
Animals
Kills none, paprika production does not require any animals to be killed
Harms: none, paprika production does not require any animals to be used
Indirectly kills or harms: none, no animals are indirectly killed or harmed from paprika production as long as toxic chemicals have not been used, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as pesticides harm and kill wildlife and ecosystems by contaminating soil, water, air and plants that animals eat
Paprika is…
- Vegan
- Harmful to wildlife and ecosystem unless organic
Laborers
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, laborers are often exploited, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Paprika is…
- May have labor issues
Where does most paprika come from? 📍
The world’s top paprika producing country is India, followed by Thailand and China.
The world’s top paprika exporting country is China, followed by Mexico, Peru, India, Germany, Spain, Uzbekistan, USA, South Africa and Egypt.
Is paprika nutritious? 🥗
Yes! Paprika is rich in a number of essential nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin E, iron and Vitamin K.
Is paprika alkaline or acidic?
Paprika is alkaline when fresh.
What is the pH level of paprika?
Paprika has an 8.0 pH level when fresh once digested. Most fresh spices are alkaline.
When you eat food, it is broken down to an ash residue that can be neutral, acidic or alkaline. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, silver, copper and iron produce an alkaline ash; whereas sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine and iodine, which are found in meat, coffee, dairy and alcohol, leave an acid ash.
Going alkaline easier than ever with this: Acidic and Alkaline Foods List
Is paprika gluten free?
Yes, paprika is gluten free. Paprika does not contain gluten. Paprika is a type of spice made from dried and ground red pepper, therefore making it a naturally gluten free food.
While celiac disease may not be as rampant as many marketing trends lead us to believe, you may have a gluten sensitivity…
Celiac and gluten sensitivity symptoms are similar and may include:
- recurring abdominal pain
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- tingling
- numbness in hands and feet
- chronic fatigue
- joint pain
- unexplained infertility
- low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
There are hundreds of potential symptoms, many of which are also symptoms of other conditions.
Going gluten-free easier than ever with this: Gluten and Gluten Free Foods List
Is paprika a common food allergen?
No, paprika is not a common food allergen. Some people may experience allergic reactions to paprika but it is relatively rare by comparison.
A group of the eight major allergenic foods is often referred to as the Big-8 and includes milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
Severe food allergies can be life threatening. Following ingestion of a food allergen, a person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Persons may still be allergic to and have serious reactions to foods other than the eight foods identified by the law.
Be aware of common dietary restrictions and food allergens with this: The Big 8 Most Common Food Allergens List
Is paprika a nightshade food?
Yes, paprika is a nightshade food.
Common nightshade foods include: white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, tomatillos, goji berries, pimentos, ground cherries, ashwagandha and all peppers (like bell peppers, jalapeños, chili peppers, and hot peppers) and red spices (such as paprika, curry powder, chili powder, cayenne powder, red pepper). Foods commonly mistaken as nightshades (but are not) include: zucchini, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, onions and black pepper.
Check out this Nightshade Foods List to see them all.
Reactions associated with nightshade allergies are digestive issues, dry mouth, confusion, vomiting and visual disturbances. People with a nightshade intolerance have reported the following symptoms shortly after eating the aforementioned foods: hives or skin rash, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, tightness of the throat and pale skin.
Nightshade vegetables provide excellent nutrition, so there is no need to stop eating them unless you suspect you are sensitive to nightshade foods. If so, eliminate them from your diet to see if symptoms disappear.
Here’s an excellent resource for further information on food intolerances: The Elimination Diet: Discover the Foods That Are Making You Sick and Tired by Tom Malterre and Alissa Segersten, MS, CN
Is paprika low fodmap?
Yes, paprika is low fodmap, a spice you can eat if on a low fodmap diet.
A low FODMAP diet may help those with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
It’s all about knowing your body. Observe what works and what doesn’t. You body might even react negatively to a low-FODMAP food simply due to intolerance. Everyone is different! Be mindful and patient. Take time to get to know what’s best for your physical health and overall wellbeing.
Water footprint of paprika?
Paprika has a relatively high water footprints compared to other foods.
It takes 7,048 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of dried spices / 845 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of dried spices
Did you know that water is a finite, non-renewable resource?
How much water does it take to produce an apple? A serving of rice? A steak dinner?
We need to be aware of something referred to as a “water footprint”. That is, the amount of fresh water utilized in the production or supply of goods we consume. As it turns out it takes significantly more water to yield foods that come from animals than foods that come from plants. Imagine how much water a cow needs to consume to generate a piece of beef. Not only how much water a single cow drinks, rather all the water that went into producing the crops that the cow ate.
Find out how much water your food consumes with this: Water Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
Carbon footprint of paprika?
Paprika has a relatively low carbon footprint compared to other foods.
It takes around 1.6 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of spices, a car driving equivalent of 3.75 miles or 6 kilometers.
Food not only has a water footprint but also a carbon footprint, known as CO2e, which stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. Since carbon measurements are a bit more difficult to comprehend, it is common to equate CO2e to the distance which a car drives in miles or kilometers.
When calculating product emissions, some factors that may be included are… farm equipment, animal feed production, hothouses (greenhouses), food processing, packaging, transport, refrigeration, freezing, package waste, and more.
But that’s not all!
It’s best to keep the following in mind when grocery shopping:
- shopping locally reduces transportation emissions
- food without packaging reduces waste as well as the carbon footprint
- refrigerated and frozen foods increase carbon emissions
- seasonal foods reduce carbon emissions from hothouses (greenhouses)
- growing plant-based foods at home is the most environmentally sustainable method with zero carbon footprint
Find out how much carbon your food emits with this: Carbon Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
Is paprika sustainable?
Paprika production is moderately sustainable. Aside from high water consumption, there is no known significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. as long as pesticides have not been used. Be sure to buy non GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc. when using regenerative practices.
A 2018 Oxford University study – which is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the damage farming does to the planet – found that ‘avoiding meat and dairy is the single biggest way to reduce your impact on Earth’ as animal farming provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of our farmland.
Consuming animal products and byproducts is not environmentally friendly and is one of the worst things for the Earth. Not only is meat production wasteful, it causes enormous amounts of pollution. The industry is one of the biggest causes of climate change.
Read more about ‘What Makes Food Sustainable Or Unsustainable?’
Is paprika vegan?
Yes, paprika is vegan. Paprika is a ground spice made from peppers and not an animal product or byproduct, therefore making it a vegan food.
Animals of factory farming are suffering. They live in horrific conditions that often include confinement, physical abuse and unnatural environments…so much so that they need to receive antibiotics to keep from getting ill or spreading disease. Growth hormones allow all kinds of animals to become fatter faster and live short lives.
Because we cannot see for ourselves how these animals live and what they endure does not mean it isn’t happening. The meat, poultry and dairy industries do everything they can to distance us from knowing how our food comes to be in order to keep us in the dark about what we support each time we buy animal derived products and byproducts.
Go vegan for animals!
It’s the best way to help animals and it’s not as difficult as you may think. Speak for animals with your actions, for they cannot speak at all.
Going vegan is easier than ever, at a glance with this: Vegan and Non-Vegan Foods List
Does paprika have human rights issues?
At this time there have been no major concerns with paprika production but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening!
It’s important to stay aware of human rights concerns and worker exploitation that may come with specific brands.
Did you know the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? The labor involved behind each and every product cannot go unrecognized.
Some known problems include workplace health and safety, child labor, gender inequality, inadequate pay, wage theft and exploitation. Workers can even experience harassment, humiliation and violence and unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks. Consequently, laborers can face nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke -the leading cause of farmworker death!
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve people’s lives with foods we eat every day simply by buying products that are certified fair trade.
Be sure to read up on this list of ‘Foods You Should Always Buy Fair Trade‘
This post was all about paprika benefits and side effects.
Sources:
Spices, paprika – FoodData Central
Medical News Today: Nightshade vegetables
