Health Benefits of Lettuce (2024)

Lettuce is a leafy vegetable, famous for giving salads their base. There are multiple types of lettuce, and they all share the scientific name Lactuca sativa.

The health benefits of lettuce come primarily from its vitamin content. Health benefits vary depending on the type of lettuce a person eats. All lettuces fall into one of four varieties:

  • Head lettuce (capitata)
  • Leaf lettuce (crispa)
  • Romaine lettuce (longifolia)
  • Celtuce lettuce (augustana)

Head lettuce gets its name from its round shape. This variety includes iceberg and butterhead lettuces, both of which are commonly sold in grocery stores.

Leaf lettuces don't form a head, and are instead connected to a stem. Some of these lettuces are darker in color or have reddish leaves.

Romaine lettuce is another lettuce type commonly sold in grocery stores. It's also known as the main ingredient in Caesar salad.

Celtuce lettuce, also called asparagus lettuce or stem lettuce, has a distinctive, large stem. This lettuce variety is common in China, but less common in the Western world.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of lettuce vary across varieties of lettuce, based on their nutritional contents. Iceberg lettuce is generally the lettuce type with the lowest amount of nutrients.

Bone Strength

Lettuce is a source of vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones. Consuming adequate amounts of vitamin K can also reduce your risk of bone fracture.

Hydration

Water makes up over 95% of raw lettuce. As a result, eating lettuce hydrates the body. Although drinking liquids is necessary, water in foods can also significantly contribute to hydration.

Improved Vision

Lettuce is a source of vitamin A, which plays a role in eye health. Vitamin A can reduce a person's risk of cataracts. Vitamin A also helps prevent macular degeneration.

Improved Sleep

Extracts of multiple lettuce types have also been shown to promote sleep. Until further research is conducted, it's unknown if lettuce in its natural form can produce a similar effect.

Nutrition

The nutritional content of lettuce varies across varieties. Almost all lettuces contain a significant amount of vitamin A, along with small amounts of vitamin C and iron.

Nutrients per Serving

A cup of chopped iceberg lettuce contains:

Iceberg lettuce contains 7% of the daily value of vitamin A. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C and iron. It contains fewer vitamins and minerals than other lettuce varieties.

A cup of chopped butterhead lettuce contains:

Butterhead lettuce contains 36% of the daily value of vitamin A. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

A cup of chopped red leaf lettuce contains:

Red leaf lettuce contains 42% of the daily value of vitamin A. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C and iron.

A cup of chopped romaine lettuce contains:

Romaine lettuce contains 82% of the daily value of vitamin A. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Things to Watch Out For

Generally, lettuce is safe for most people to eat. It isn't a common allergen. Because it's low in calories, there's not a big problem with eating too much lettuce.

In recent years, however, there have been many instances of lettuce getting contaminated by E. coli. Sometimes lettuce, especially romaine, is recalled. These outbreaks are likely due to runoff from nearby animal farms that contaminates lettuce.

How to Prepare Lettuce

Although lettuce is known for its use in salads, it can be eaten in a variety of ways. To enjoy the health benefits of lettuce, try it in:

  • Wraps
  • Sandwiches
  • Egg rolls and spring rolls
  • Rice dishes
  • Tacos
  • Smoothies

Depending on the lettuce type, you can also use it as a substitute for bread with some sandwiches or burgers.

Health Benefits of Lettuce (2024)

FAQs

Health Benefits of Lettuce? ›

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.

What does lettuce do for your body? ›

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.

Is it good to eat lettuce every day? ›

This is a healthy habit and the side effects of lettuce are very rare. However, there is currently no scientific evidence to answer the question of whether eating a lot of lettuce is good? But similar to other herbs used daily, users can use lettuce every day but in moderation, do not overdo it.

Why is lettuce a superfood? ›

In addition to the essential nutrients, romaine lettuce is rich in a range of antioxidants that might help decrease the risk of inflammation, heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancers, according to the same article in Antioxidants. Specifically, the pigment lutein is an antioxidant found in romaine lettuce.

Does lettuce detox your body? ›

Leafy Greens

Foods such as romaine lettuce, parsley, and spinach are some of the best foods to detox your body. The fiber in these foods help to clear the digestive system, while the foliate in these foods may help to break down neurotoxins.

Does lettuce clean your colon? ›

Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery. In fact, there are lots of foods that help cleanse the colon naturally through diet.

Which lettuce is the healthiest? ›

Why is lettuce healthy? There are five different categories of lettuce: loose-leaf, cos/romaine, butterhead, crisphead, and asparagus-stem lettuce. Romaine lettuce and lettuce greens are the most nutritious types of lettuce.

What does lettuce do to your gut? ›

Veggies like mushrooms, baby spinach, bean sprouts, lettuce, and peas can be good for boosting your gut health, specifically. These vegetables are great for your gut because of their fiber or water contents, or because they contain plant compounds called polyphenols.

What does lettuce do for your brain? ›

Consumption of green leafy vegetables may help to slow decline in cognitive abilities with older age, perhaps due to the neuroprotective actions of lutein, folate, β-carotene, and phylloquinone. The addition of a daily serving of green leafy vegetables to one's diet may be a simple way to contribute to brain health.

Is lettuce or spinach healthier? ›

The winner? Both are deserving of a place in your fridge's veggie crisper drawer because they both contribute to your five daily serves of veg and are versatile, low-kilojoule/calorie salad additions. However, baby spinach outperforms iceberg lettuce in terms of good-for-you micronutrients.

Does lettuce burn belly fat? ›

Replacing your single meal daily with lettuce and other leafy green vegetables such as kale can help you lose a couple of pounds monthly. It not only cuts your calorie intake but also helps burn belly fat.

Can you eat too much lettuce? ›

Generally, lettuce is safe for most people to eat. It isn't a common allergen. Because it's low in calories, there's not a big problem with eating too much lettuce. In recent years, however, there have been many instances of lettuce getting contaminated by E.

Does salad clean your gut? ›

You may have a healthier gut.

"Salads are often also filled with polyphenols, which can promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut." A 2019 review in Nutrients states that when polyphenols from food reach the gut microbes, they modify the microflora and have prebiotic and antimicrobial properties.

Why does lettuce stretch your stomach? ›

In some patients lettuce produces abdominal distension, which is not related to gas, but rather to an uncontrolled reaction of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm. Hence, learning to control the abdominal muscles may prevent distension with no need of dietary restrictions.

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