You may think that lettuce has little nutritional value, especially iceburg lettuce. But there is more benefit to eating lettuce than you may realize. To start, it is one of the few vegetables that is eaten raw. Eating a nice big salad is a great way of getting more fiber in your diet. And getting enough fiber is critical to your health. The most common types of lettuce are iceburg, romain, and butter. But there are many others that you can grow, buy at a farmers market, or find in a grocery store. The nutritional profile of lettuce depends on the type. And like most plants, the darker varieties contain more antioxidants. Here are some more benefits and surprising lettuce facts.
Eye Health
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two phytonutrients that are well known to support eye health. Lettuce contains both of those compounds along with vitamin A, which also benefits eye health. While other plants contain more of these compounds than lettuce, consuming lettuce can positively contribute to your eye health. Salads aren’t the only way to consume lettuce. It can be included in your smoothie, in soup, or used instead of bread or a tortilla for a wrap or cup.
Brain Health
Studies have shown that people who eat more leafy greens have better brain health. And lettuce is a leafy green along with kale, collards, and spinach. It is the vitamin K1, folate, and other compounds that are in leafy greens that are thought to support brain health.
Better Sleep
Lettuce seed oil has been used as a natural remedy for poor sleep. More recent studies have confirmed that lettuce contains a compound that helps you relax and may improve sleep. In addition to being able to help you sleep, the phytonutrients in lettuce can help heal the damage done by a night of poor sleep.
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Lettuce, along with other leafy greens, has a very low glycemic index. This makes it less likely to raise your blood sugar levels. Eating plenty of fiber can also help slow the flow of easy to digest carbohydrates into your blood stream.
Hydration
Lettuce is more than 95% water. So it can help you stay hydrated. The potassium in it can help your body maintain fluid balance. It also helps with nerve signaling throughout your body. Eating lettuce alone, won’t meet your body’s need for water. But it can help, and a great salad can be very refreshing.
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