15 Health Benefits of Organic Butter Lettuce That You Should Know

Best known for loose, round-shaped heads of tender, sweet leaves and a mild flavor, organic butter lettuce is a must-have greens to eat with spicy grilled meat.  When it comes to these leafy greens, they are not only fresh and enjoyable to eat, but butter lettuce is also beneficial for health.

Nutrition Facts of Butter Lettuce

One cup (36g) contains:

• 0g fat and cholesterol
• 1.5g carbohydrates
• 1g fiber
• 0.6g protein
• Only 5 calories and 10g sodium

Other important nutrients include:

• 5g fiber (2% daily value)
• 5 micrograms of vitamin K (78% daily value)
• Vitamin A (53% Daily Value)
• 5mg vitamin C (11% daily value)
• 7 micrograms folate (3% daily value)
• 3mg iron (2% daily value)
• 1mg manganese (5% daily value)

Butter lettuce is especially rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and other nutrients like vitamins A, K and potassium. This green vegetable helps fight inflammation and other related diseases like diabetes and cancer. The darker the vegetable gets, the richer it is in nutrients.

Here are 15 benefits from organic butter lettuce that people may concern:

1. Lettuce helps fight inflammation

Certain proteins in lettuce, such as lipoxygenase, help control inflammation. This vegetable has been used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation and bone related pain.

Vitamins A, E, and K may also help reduce inflammation. You should regularly add these vegetables to your diet. Other vitamin K-rich vegetables include kale, broccoli, spinach, and cabbage. The darker the salad, the more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties it has.

2. May assist in weight loss

One main reason that salads are ideal for weight loss is their calorie count. A serving of vegetables contains only 5 calories. What’s more, this vegetable delivers micronutrients that are hard to get on a low-calorie diet.

Lettuce also has a low energy density. This is especially true of Butter lettuce, which is 95% water and provides 1g of fiber per cup (36g). Fiber keeps you full for a long time and doesn’t cause bloating. Darker varieties are higher in nutrients. Therefore, add lettuce to your meal!

3. May Boost Brain Health

Brain damage can lead to nerve cell death, which can cause serious diseases like Alzheimer’s. Lettuce extracts help protect nerve cells.

Lettuce is also rich in nitrates. This compound is converted to nitric oxide in the body, which is a cell signaling molecule that promotes endothelial function. The reduction in endothelial function contributes to cognitive decline and other neurological disorders associated with aging. Eating lettuce can slow this process down. That means your appearance will look better, your skin will get brighter.

4. May Boost Heart Health

Butter lettuce is a good source of folate. This is a B vitamin that helps convert homocysteine ​​to methionine. Unconverted homocysteine ​​can damage blood vessels and lead to the buildup of plaque, which is harmful to the heart.

This vegetable is also a rich source of vitamin C, which reduces arterial stiffness and supports the treatment of cardiovascular disease. It can strengthen arteries and even prevent heart attacks.

Lettuce also contains potassium, which lowers blood pressure and prevents heart disease. Eating vegetables can increase HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL levels. Therefore, eating them regularly can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

5. May Help Fight Cancer

Eating lettuce has been linked to a reduced risk of stomach cancer. This is a non-starchy vegetable. A report by the World Cancer Research Fund suggests that non-starchy vegetables may protect against several types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach.

6. May Reduce Diabetes Risk

Studies have shown that green vegetables (especially those like lettuce) can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. This may be due to the very low glycemic index of vegetables (this number) indicates the effect of a particular food on your blood sugar.

Plus, one cup of veggies contains only about 5 calories and 2 grams of carbs, making it ideal for a diabetes-friendly diet. Organic butter lettuce is preferred over any other because it contains essential micronutrients.

7. May promote vision health

Lettuce, especially dark green vegetables, contains zeaxanthin – an antioxidant that helps promote vision health, preventing age-related macular degeneration.

Lettuce is similar to spinach (another eye-healthy vegetable), containing substances that promote eye health and prevent cataracts and other eye diseases.

8. May Promote Digestive Health

The fiber in vegetables promotes digestion, prevents constipation and flatulence. It can also relieve stomach pain. Lettuce helps the stomach to process different foods.

9. May Help Treat Insomnia

Eating lettuce can help treat insomnia. Lactucarium, a substance in lettuce, helps calm the nervous system and promote sleep. You can add vegetables to your dinner salad if you have trouble sleeping at night. Lettuce also contains another substance called lactucin, which helps with sleep and relaxation. This vegetable has been used even in medieval times to relieve insomnia.

10. May Boost Bone Health

Vitamins K, A, and C are important in the production of collagen (the first step in bone formation). Lettuce is rich in all three substances. Vitamin K helps build cartilage and connective tissues. Vitamin A helps develop new bone cells. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures. Vitamin C fights bone deterioration, one of the factors that cause aging. Vitamin K deficiency can also lead to osteoporosis.

11. May Boost Immunity

The amount of vitamins A and C can make lettuce a good choice for boosting immunity.

12. Good for Pregnancy

Lettuce contains folate, a nutrient that may reduce the risk of disability. Lettuce is also rich in vitamin K. A vitamin K deficiency during pregnancy can cause vitamin K deficiency in blood. Although vitamin K injections can be given to pregnant women, eating enough vegetables (and other vitamin K-rich foods) can also help. The fiber in vegetables also helps fight constipation, a common problem for pregnant women.

13. Can improve muscle strength and metabolism, good for gymers

Potassium in salads can increase muscle strength. This vegetable also contains nitrates, which are known to increase exercise performance.

14. Eat lettuce to get beautiful skin and hair

Vitamin A in vegetables can promote skin cell turnover. Vitamin C can protect the skin from UV radiation and slow down the signs of aging. The fiber in vegetables can detoxify the body and promote skin health.

Washing your face with lettuce juice or extracts in the morning can improve your skin. Washing your hair with vegetable juice can also support your hair.

15. May fight anemia

The folate in lettuce helps fight megaloblastic anemia, another form of anemia in which the blood cells are large and underdeveloped. Butter lettuce may also aid in the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (26). Lettuce is 95% water. Eating vegetables will help your body stay hydrated.

Side effects of eating lettuce

Butter lettuce has very few side effects, except that an excess of vitamin K increases the risk of interactions with blood thinners. 

In general, vegetables are safe for most people to eat. This is not a common allergenic vegetable. Vegetables are low in calories, so it’s not a big deal to overeat.

However, in recent years, there have been many cases of lettuce contaminated with E.coli bacteria. These outbreaks may have been caused by runoff from nearby livestock farms contaminating vegetables or using chemicals for lettuce cultivation. As a result, choosing organic lettuce is one of the best options you have.