Impressive health benefits of lettuce
The word lettuce is derived from the Roman ‘lactuca sativa’; however, it did not originate in Rome, but rather in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians were the first to cultivate lettuce for its oil-rich seeds. Today, lettuce is cultivated as a leaf vegetable in nearly all parts of the world. It’s an annual plant, which can only b harvested 65 to 130 days after sowing. It belongs to the family of daisy, Asteraceae. The leafy vegetable is often eaten raw as a salad or used as food wrap.
There are several types of lettuce such as the Iceberg, Romaine, Crisphead and Butterhead, which are amongst the best known varieties. All lettuce vegetables feature a crunchy texture and a mild sweet taste. Most lettuces are green to yellow green, but some may be brownish purple.
Having a bowl of lettuce salad everyday can do you a world of good. Lettuce is an excellent source of fiber and cellulose, which improves digestion and promotes long term weight loss. It is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and K as well as minerals including potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc. You can get lettuce from any grocery store close to you, your local market or even plant it in your small garden at home.
Here are some of lettuce health benefits
Lettuce induces sleep
One of the oldest benefits of lettuce, which dates back to medieval times, is its property to induce sleep. This particular benefits has already been confirmed by studies and research. It contains lactucarium, a chemical that shares the same properties and similar structure to opium. This chemical helps you to relax and enhances your sleep quality, however, it has no harmful side effects when compared to opium.
One of the oldest benefits of lettuce, which dates back to medieval times, is its property to induce sleep. This particular benefits has already been confirmed by studies and research. It contains lactucarium, a chemical that shares the same properties and similar structure to opium. This chemical helps you to relax and enhances your sleep quality, however, it has no harmful side effects when compared to opium.
It contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties
It possesses anti-fungal properties when digested. The latex of lettuce, which is called lactucarium can eradicate various types of yeasts including Candida alicans.
Moreover, it can help protect your body from harmful microbes. This property is due to its biochemical terpenes and cardenolides.
It possesses anti-fungal properties when digested. The latex of lettuce, which is called lactucarium can eradicate various types of yeasts including Candida alicans.
Moreover, it can help protect your body from harmful microbes. This property is due to its biochemical terpenes and cardenolides.
Keeps you hydrated
Eating a fresh bowl of lettuce salad will keep you hydrated. It contains significant amount of potassium, which plays a vital role in maintaining the fluid balance in our body. Fluid is very important to the human body so that all our organs can function very well.
Eating a fresh bowl of lettuce salad will keep you hydrated. It contains significant amount of potassium, which plays a vital role in maintaining the fluid balance in our body. Fluid is very important to the human body so that all our organs can function very well.
Helps control anxiety
According to research conducted and concluded, lettuces features not only sedatives properties but also anxiolytic properties as well. Hence, lettuce eaten often can help to relieve stress and anxiety.
Promotes muscle development
Not all protein sources are found in meat. Lettuce for example, is a vegetable which contains little protein, but also enzymes that make protein synthesis more efficient.
According to research conducted and concluded, lettuces features not only sedatives properties but also anxiolytic properties as well. Hence, lettuce eaten often can help to relieve stress and anxiety.
Promotes muscle development
Not all protein sources are found in meat. Lettuce for example, is a vegetable which contains little protein, but also enzymes that make protein synthesis more efficient.
Aids weight loss
It is among the best foods for weight loss. It is rich in fiber and cellulose, but low in calories and has no fat. Cellulose provides a feeling of fullness and delays gastric emptying, thus it helps prevent you from overeating. That’s why it is so important that we eat lot of vegetables and fruits. It also aids in waste removal, and can promote the excretion of bile in feces, which in turn reduces cholesterol levels
It is among the best foods for weight loss. It is rich in fiber and cellulose, but low in calories and has no fat. Cellulose provides a feeling of fullness and delays gastric emptying, thus it helps prevent you from overeating. That’s why it is so important that we eat lot of vegetables and fruits. It also aids in waste removal, and can promote the excretion of bile in feces, which in turn reduces cholesterol levels
Enhance the beauty of the skin
People have to understand that improving skin quality starts within the body. Consuming nutritious foods such as lettuce provides you a range of skin care benefits. It contains terpenes, cardenolides and glucanases. These enzymes, which comprise the lettuce’s antibacterial properties, can ward help to reduce the likelihood of bacterial infection of the skin.
People have to understand that improving skin quality starts within the body. Consuming nutritious foods such as lettuce provides you a range of skin care benefits. It contains terpenes, cardenolides and glucanases. These enzymes, which comprise the lettuce’s antibacterial properties, can ward help to reduce the likelihood of bacterial infection of the skin.
Conclusion: For thousands of years, lettuce has been cultivated not just for food, but also for the health benefits it provides. Eating green vegetables such as lettuce is a great way to provide your body with nutrients in needs. It is often eaten raw in salads or as food wrapping, but another way to make most of its health benefits is through juicing or adding it to your smoothie by combining with other fruits and vegetables of your choice. However you prefer it, just be sure to take advantage of all it has to offer.
