Pepperoncini peppers offer vitamin C, vitamin A and a tart, tangy flavor. Fresh pepperoncini are hard to find, but be aware that the pickled type sold in jars can be very high in sodium.

Serrano peppers pack some serious heat. A variety of chili about 5 times hotter than the average jalapeno, the petite serrano delivers quite a punch for its 1- to 2-inch size.

Bell peppers and onions are commonly used ingredients in many recipes, and when celery is added, it is referred to as a mirepoix, a mainstay of classic French cooking.

If you often start to sneeze and have a runny nose after a meal, you may have food allergies. A food allergy can cause annoying symptoms in some people, but it can have serious consequences for others.

You might like spicy food, but sometimes one too many hot peppers can set your mouth burning uncontrollably. You might gulp ice water, which helps momentarily – only to have the fiery sensations return with equal vigor. Hot foods get their intensity from peppers containing a substance called capsaicin.

If you love spicy foods, including peppers, you are probably familiar with the burning sensation they can cause. You may also worry about whether they're doing damage to your esophagus, the tube leading from your mouth to your stomach.

Pick a peck of colorful peppers to punch up the flavor and nutritional content of your meals. Bell peppers come in a palette of colors -- green, red, yellow, orange, purple and chocolate brown -- and all varieties are excellent sources of the antioxidant vitamins A and C.

Coumadin is a medication that is prescribed to patients who have a history of blood clots in their legs, arms, heart or brain; a history of heart attacks or strokes; a replacement heart valve; abnormal heart rhythms; a large heart; or other cardiac complications.

If you experience chronic indigestion, you may want to remove black pepper from your diet to prevent symptoms from developing. According the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, spices, such as black pepper, chili pepper and curry can increase your chances of developing indigestion.

Red bell peppers are versatile ingredients that appear in many recipes, including fajitas, soups, salads and stews. They are part of the vegetable food group, which means that they contain carbohydrates. Red bell peppers are in season in the summer, but they are usually available year-round at many supermarkets.

Steaming is an effective way of cooking nearly any vegetable, including red or green bell peppers or hot chili peppers. Nutrients are retained because the steam heats the peppers, which never touch the water. Steamed peppers also maintain their flavor, color and much of their crispy texture.

Black pepper is a favored spice, included in most recipes, making it a difficult allergen to avoid. Producers derive this spice from dried berries from pepper trees, known as peppercorns, growing primarily in southern India, Ceylon and Malaysia.