Lettuce
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Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds.
Lettuce is one of poular green leafy-vegetables. Its crispy, green/crimson-red leaves are one of the incredible sources of essential nutrients that benefit health. Indeed, it is among the most sought-after greens, be it in your crunchy green salads or healthy sandwiches!
Lettuce leaves exude milk-like fluid (sap) when cut, and hence its name derived from Latin lactuca for milk. Botanically this marvelous, nutrition rich leafy green belongs to the daisy family of Asteraceae. Scientific name: Lactuca sativa
Lactuca sativa is a small size annual plant that flourishes well under sandy, humus soil. There are about six varieties of cultivars exist based upon their head formation and leaf structure. Leaf varieties with more bitter taste are rather rich in nutrients as well as antioxidants.
Here are some popular varieties grown around the globe:
Lettuce leaves are one of the very low calorie green-vegetables. 100 g fresh greens provide just 15 calories. Nonetheless, they are the store house of many phyto-nutrients that possess health promoting and disease prevention properties.
Vitamins in lettuce are plentiful. Its fresh leaves are an excellent source of several Vitamin A and beta carotenes. Just 100 g of fresh, raw-lettuce provides 247% of daily vitamin A, and 4443 µg of beta-carotene (Carotenes convert into vitamin A in the body; 2 µg of carotene is considered equivalent to 1 IU of vitamin A). These compounds have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin, and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids helps to protect the body from lung and oral cavity cancers.
It is a rich source of vitamin K. Vitamin K has a potential role in the bone metabolism where it thought to increase bone mass by promoting osteotrophic activity inside the bone cells. It also has established role in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain.
Fresh leaves contain good amounts folates and vitamin C. Folates are part of co-factors in the enzyme metabolism required for DNA synthesis and therefore, play a vital role in prevention of the neural tube defects in the baby (fetus) during pregnancy.
Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant; regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Zea-xanthin (1730 µg per 100 g), an important dietary carotenoid in lettuce, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea, where it thought to provide antioxidant and filter UV rays falling on the retina. Diet rich in xanthin and carotenes is thought to offer some protection against age-related macular disease (ARMD) in the elderly.
It also contains good amounts of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are very essential for body metabolism. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is essential for red blood cell formation.
It is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like thiamin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), riboflavins.
Regular inclusion of lettuce in salads is known to prevent osteoporosis, iron-deficiency anemia, and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases, ARMD, Alzheimer's disease and cancers.
In the store, choose leaves that feature crispy outlook, bright in color. Avoid sunken leaves with spots or discoloration.
Each variety of lettuce features a unique keeping quality; hence, different methods should be applied while its storing. Romaine and loose leaf-lettuces should be washed, and any excess water removed before storing inside the refrigerator. On the otherhand, Butterhead need not have to be washed before storing.
Pack them in a plastic bag or keep inside the refrigerator. romaine will stay fresh for up to seven days whereas, butterhead and loose leaf-types for two to three days.
Remove any outer discolored leaves. Then trim off their bitterly tips. Chop the remaining leaf to your desired size and discard the bottom stem/root portion.
Soak in salt water for a few minutes in order to remove sand and parasite eggs and worms. Then, wash leaves in clean running water. Pat dry or use a salad spinner to remove the excess water.
Regardless of the type, all lettuces should feature crispy, fresh leaves that are free of dark or slimy spots. Varieties such as romaine and butter-head should have compact heads with no brown stems.
Here are some serving tips:
Pesticides are commonly used in lettuce crops. The most common pesticides found in the leaves are organ-phosphorous, Permethrin, etc. Wash them thoroughly in cold water before consumption. However, the organic forms are believed to be free from these toxins and safe for consumption.
The vegetable contains moderate levels of oxalic acid, 0.33 mg per 100 g of fresh leaves.
Lettuce leaves carry good amounts of vitamins and minerals. Chinese stem lettuce or celtuce is grown for its long, thick stems used as a vegetable.
Lettuce, (Lactuca sativa var. crispa), raw,
Nutritional value per 100 g.
Source: USDA National Nutrient data base
Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
Energy | 15 Kcal | 1% |
Carbohydrates | 2.79 g | 2% |
Protein | 1.36 g | 2% |
Total Fat | 0.15 g | 0.5% |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 3% |
Vitamins | ||
Folates (B9) | 38 μg | 9.5% |
Niacin (B3) | 0.375 mg | 2% |
Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.134 mg | 2.5% |
Pyridoxine (B6) | 0.090 mg | 7% |
Riboflavin (B2) | 0.080 mg | 6% |
Thiamin (B1) | 0.070 mg | 6% |
Vitamin A | 7405 IU | 247% |
Vitamin C | 9.2 mg | 15% |
Vitamin E | 0.29 mg | 2% |
Vitamin K | 126.3 μg | 105% |
Electrolytes | ||
Sodium | 28 mg | 2% |
Potassium | 194 mg | 4% |
Minerals | ||
Calcium | 36 mg | 3.5% |
Copper | 0.029 mg | 3% |
Iron | 0.86 mg | 10% |
Magnesium | 13 mg | 3% |
Manganese | 0.250 mg | 11% |
Zinc | 0.18 mg | 1.5% |
Phyto-nutrients | ||
Carotene-ß | 4443 μg | -- |
Crypto-xanthin-ß | 0 μg | -- |
Lutein-zeaxanthin | 1730 μg | -- |