This week it’s lettuce health benefits from Kat’s Kitchen. After all salad season is now in full swing!
Lettuce varieties are members of the daisy or sunflower family. When lettuces are cut they exude small amounts of a white milky liquid which gives lettuce a slightly bitter flavour.
Lettuces are classified into four categories, iceberg/crispbread; romaine; butterhead and loose-leaf. Each is individually different! Iceberg has a crisp texture and a mild watery taste. Romaine has deep green, long leaves with a crisp texture and a deep taste. Butterhead has tender, larger leaves that form a loose head of lettuce. They have a sweet flavour and a soft texture. Loose-leaf lettuce varieties are green and or red and have a delicate taste and a slightly crisp texture.
Lettuce is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia. It was viewed as a medicinal plant and Augustus Caesar erected a statue in honour of lettuce as he felt it had aided his recovery from illness….
In China, lettuce represents good luck and is served on birthdays, New Year’s Day and other special occasions.
in general, the darker the lettuce the greater the nutrient content and so in order romaine > looseleaf > butterhead > iceberg. Below are some reasons to include lettuce in your diet:
Lettuce Health Benefits
- Helps with bone strength as lettuce is a source of Vitamin K which helps strengthen bones and also consuming adequate amounts of Vitamin K can reduce the risk of bone fractures
- Lettuce is over 95% water and so eating lettuce is a great way to hydrate the body and is often thought to be a great diet food
- Lettuce is a source of Vitamin A which plays a role in eye health – Vitamin A can reduce the risk of cataracts and also help prevent macular degeneration
- Extracts from lettuce have also been found to help with sleep.