Lettuce is a green, low-maintenance vegetable that's high in nutrition and low in calories. It's one of the more popular vegetables used in recipes across the globe, and its consumption has been around since the 7th century. It is considered a complete food with the ability to provide needed vitamins, minerals, and protein. One 4 oz. serving of romaine lettuce contains about 225 calories, making it an excellent choice for your plate.
Health benefits range depending on the kind of lettuce a consumer eats. All romaine salads contain a moderate amount of vitamins (Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Inositol, and Magnesium). All lettuces come from one of the four major categories: chicory or green lettuce, curly lettuce, turnip or Brussel sprouts, and yellow or Italian lettuce. All four are excellent choices for adding a healthy taste to any salad. All lettuces contain protein, vitamin A, Folic Acid, and Vitamin K. All of these are important to a healthy diet. There are also other health benefits to be gained from romaine lettuce.
One of the main benefits of romaine lettuce is that it has a very low Glycemic Index, which means that it will not raise your blood sugar levels once you eat it. This is important for diabetics and people trying to lose weight because high glycemic index foods cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. Another good news about this salad is that it contains a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help fight off cancer-causing free radicals in your body. The higher the antioxidant content in your diet, the better your chances are of avoiding certain cancers and heart disease. Some of the antioxidants found in romaine lettuce help to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Romaine lettuce possesses another important health benefit that can help you lose weight and feel great. It has been found that romaine lettuce lowers bad cholesterol levels by around 30%. Since LDL cholesterol is believed to be partially responsible for the formation of fatty deposits around the coronary arteries, the lowering of LDL cholesterol levels can prevent the development of atherosclerosis. Romaine lettuce also contains a special chemical known as beta-sitosterol. This chemical has been found to inhibit the production of human growth hormone (HGH), which in turn reduces the appetite.
Another group of health benefits associated with iceberg lettuce is cardiovascular health. In addition to helping lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, lettuce also contains high amounts of vitamin k, which helps to build strong blood vessel walls. Additionally, many iceberg lettuce varieties contain essential nutrients such as calcium and magnesium, which are both beneficial for maintaining bone strength and health.
Finally, one of the most important health benefits of lettuce comes from its high level of insoluble fiber. The high level of fiber in lettuce contains a type of short-chain fatty molecule that can easily get filtered out of the body's wastewater. Insoluble fiber helps to remove excess fat from the bloodstream and thus prevents obesity. As an added bonus, lettuce contains a special component that helps to regulate blood sugar levels, so adding lettuce to your diet can significantly reduce your chances of developing diabetes.
There are countless ways to add nutritious leaves to your diet. Whether it's the addition of a salad to your lunch or a side of fries to dinner, you can't go wrong with a healthy helping of leafy vegetables. If you start incorporating more lettuce into your diet in order to reap the health benefits, you'll never want to go back.
While lettuce may not be the flashiest vegetable on the planet, it certainly packs a lot of nutritional value. Aside from being a popular ingredient in tasty salads and fries, Lettuce is a favorite leafy greens choice for making bread, too. Add it to a sandwich or wrap it in a tortilla and you have a satisfying meal that will boost your immune system and improve your digestion. All of these benefits make lettuce one of the most exciting vegetables out there
