Lettuce Nutrition Facts

Lettuce contains a high water content, as well as small aounts of energy, protein,
fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and sugars. The minerals and vitamins found in it
include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc along with B-
vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, A, E, and vitamin
K.
Health Benefits of Lettuce
Anti-inflammatory Agent
Lettuce possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help in controlling inflammation. In
experimental models, lettuce extracts have shown significant controlling power over
inflammation induced by biocatalysts like lipoxygenase and carrageenan. [4] More research
is needed in this arena to bolster these results.
Protects Neuronal Cells
Neurons are brain cells that form physical connections to make up memory. The death of
neurons in particular connections or circuits can result in the loss of memory. In some
extreme cases, significant neuronal death can result in the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
According to an animal study the lettuce extract exhibit antioxidant effects, reduce
oxidative stress and may help provide neuro protective benefits. However, more research is
needed to confirm the reach of these positive implications.
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Lettuce can be beneficial in lowering high cholesterol levels that often lead
to cardiovascular diseases and other dangerous conditions. High LDL cholesterol levels are
harmful and can cause heart attack and stroke. A study was conducted on rodents to test the
impact of lettuce consumption on fat and cholesterol. [5] The results indicated a significant
reduction of cholesterol levels as compared to mice that weren’t fed lettuce. Lipid
peroxidation was observed in most cases, which was concluded to be responsible for this
form of cholesterol control. These results suggest that lettuce could be contributory as a
method to reduce the risk factors of CVD.
Induces Sleep
One of the major traditional uses of lettuce in Unani medicine was as a sleep inducer.
Research into the extracts of lettuce resulted in the isolation of a depressant chemical. This
chemical, when administered in experimental animals, showed significant sedative effects. A
2013 research report, suggests that the main component(s) responsible for this effect in
lettuce is most likely to be the non-polar agent(s),which are found in the n-butanol fraction
(NBF)of this plant. [6] Decreased heart rate and ventricular contractions were also observed.
This particular chemical acts by blocking the excitatory signal processes of muscular and
neural tissues.
Antioxidant Agent
Published in the journal Ancient Science of Life Journal, one study stated that lettuce
possesses antioxidants with significant free radical-scavenging capabilities. [7] Antioxidants
are a wide range of biochemicals mostly found in our diet; they are also very necessary for
human health and disease prevention. Antioxidants act as barriers to free radicals, which are
produced during cellular metabolism. These free radicals can attack healthy tissues, cells, and
the DNA inside them. They can often cause healthy cells to mutate into cancer cells. The
result is the development of various diseases. Antioxidants, on the other hand, counteract
these free radicals and neutralize them before the free radical attacks take place.
Antimicrobial Agent
The latex of lettuce possesses antimicrobial properties. [8] When coming into the contact
with latex from lettuce, research has shown that Candida albicans and a number of other
yeasts were completely deformed. Biochemicals that are considered to possess these
antimicrobial properties are the terpenes and cardenolides, as well as enzymes like
glucanases. Studies such as these have positive implications for the antimicrobial abilities of
this vegetable.
Controls Anxiety
The neurological properties of lettuce, as mentioned earlier, have long been suggested during
ancient times and the Middle Ages in medical treaties, such as the Unani system. A 2012
research paper published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease has led to the
conclusion that lettuce possesses anxiolytic (antianxiety) properties. [9] When lab animals
were given lettuce extracts, their locomotive activity was reduced, suggesting implications in
human populations.
Anti-Cancer Potential
Lettuce leaf extracts may help prevent certain types of cancer. According to
a research published in the Oncology Reports, the water extract of the lettuce Lactuca
sativa, and not the ethyl acetate extract–, inhibited the growth of leukaemia cells and breast
cancer cells. [10] This emphasizes that lettuce has anti-cancer potential. The experiments also
suggested that the weight ratio of human lettuce consumption required to kill 50 percent of
leukemia cells would be 3 kg (over six pounds). Thats a lot of lettuce!