Lettuce is an excellent source of beta carotene (vitamin A) which is needed for healthy skin, bones, and eyes. Lettuce is a fair source of folate, which is needed for healthy cells and the healthy growth of babies during pregnancy in order to prevent neural tube defects.
If large quantities of lettuce take the place of other nutritious foods, you won't get all your daily nutrients. This type of imbalanced diet will not support your health. While getting more fiber by increasing lettuce intake is healthy, you may experience digestive problems if you overindulge.
So, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types) and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene and lutein.
They are rich in a combination of vitamins A, C, and K; several B vitamins (including folate); and potassium. But some greens aren't nutrient powerhouses. Iceberg lettuce, for example, contains folate and vitamin A, but is otherwise known for being the least nutrient-dense salad green.
Water makes up over 95% of raw lettuce. In addition to helping you stay hydrated, lettuce helps with bone strength, vision, and sleep. This juicy fruit gets its name from containing 92% of water serving as a great snack for staying hydrated.
Spinach and other leafy green vegetables like kale, lettuce, etc. are great for burning belly fat and are very nutritious as well. There have been some studies done on the subject of the fat burning capabilities of spinach and the very healthy veggie has come out a winner in this category.
If you wish to get on a detox spree, then lettuce can help to a great extent. Lettuce's watery nature also helps in flushing out toxins from the body. Iceberg lettuce contains the maximum amount of water content that matches that of cucumbers.
Leafy, Green Vegetables
Kale, spinach, romaine lettuce and Swiss chard are among the best foods for brain health. This is because they are loaded with powerful antioxidants that protect the brain from deteriorating.
Leafy greens will benefit your body no matter if you eat them as raw or cooked vegetables. However, you absorb the abundant minerals such as calcium, iron, and beta carotene in spinach better when it's a cooked vegetable.
Lettuce contains something called lactucarium, which can make you feel sleepy. "It has a similar structure to opium and has some sedative properties," Dr. Winter said. You can actually see lactucarium if you look at the base of certain lettuces.
Worst: Iceberg Wedge Salad
It also falls short in the nutrition department. That's because iceberg lettuce contains fewer vitamins and minerals than most dark leafy greens.
Like all lettuces, Iceberg is absolutely a good-for-you choice. It's low in calories, cholesterol-free and extremely low in sodium—it provides important vitamins and minerals that support our overall health.
1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. That's because 1 cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories ( 1 ).
Consuming lettuce in excess can cause many side effects. These are mydriasis (dilation of the pupil), photophobia (inability to look at bright light), dizziness, heart and breathing difficulty, excessive sweating, hallucinations, and induced sleep.
Revitalizes Skin
Lettuce is a rich source of vitamin A with six leaves providing more than 100% of your DV (daily value) of vitamin A. Vitamin A increases the cell turnover, thus revitalizing your skin.
Spinach and lettuce are nutritionally different. spinach has twice as much potassium, protein, calcium, iron, niacin and vitamins A, C, B, C and B-12 as any other leaf vegetable. Spinach also contains more fiber and minerals including magnesium, phosphorus and potassium than any of the four lettuce types.
Leaf Lettuce
The nutritional Clark Kent of the salad bar, this common and unsuspecting leafy green is ready to take its place among the superfoods for weight loss. Two generous cups of lettuce provide 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement for strong, healthy bones.
Follow up with a doctor if you have trouble digesting lettuce: While many raw vegetables can be tough on digestion, lettuce usually isn't one of them. If you find you're having trouble digesting this leafy green, it may be worth mentioning to your doctor.
There are many other variations of dark leafies, including collard greens, kale and even romaine. These plant foods are great sources of folate and a host of vitamins and minerals. They also provide a punch of fiber that help clear your colon.
Leafy green vegetables
Iron is an important micronutrient for your hair cells to stay active and function properly. People with iron deficiency commonly experience hair loss. Make sure you eat sufficient spinach, turnip greens, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage and kale to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.
Lettuce: The rumor is that lettuce slows down your metabolism, but in reality, lettuce does more good than harm. Eating lettuce, such as salad before a meal, can help you eat fewer calories and keep you full. It's a perfectly healthy food many people eat frequently to help them lose weight.