Choices! What will it be? #22

Introduction

Vegetables are said to be essential and important source of our food. It provides our immune system with important nutrients needed for healthy growth. Most of these vegetables contains vitamin C, low in calories and fats, good source of minerals and vitamins. Each vegetables has it importance and health benefits. In my article today, I'll discussing about the green vegetable called Lettuce

What is lettuce?

Pixabay

Lettuce is an annual leafy green vegetable which belongs to the asteraceae family (the composite family of a flowering plant). It grows above the ground and is mostly grown in the north. Though this veggie looks like a cabbage but the difference between the both is the water content. Cabbage contains little water and is a little hard than lettuce, while lettuce can also be grilled and is crusty. It is mainly known for it's use in making salad, burger and seafoods. This low-carbohydrate leafy vegetable, is a perfect source of basic nutrients and antioxidants.

The history of cultivation of lettuce can be traced to ancient Egypt as a celebrated meal for the Egyptian god of fertility, Min. It was originally cultivated for the removal of oil from it's special seeds. From time, lettuce travelled from Europe to America and in the mid 18th and 19th century, books were publicized which spoke of the variety of lettuce we see today.

Types Of lettuce

Pixabay

Lettuce are of various types which are classified with the scientific name of Lactuca sativa L. For the sake special clarification, lettuce types can be classified or categorized into four.

1. Celtuce lettuce
2. Head or butterhead lettuce
3. Romaine lettuce
4. Looseleaf or leaf lettuce

The types of lettuce listed above also have few types of lettuce classified under each.

Importance and health benefits of lettuce

Pixabay

Every vegetable has health benefits so do lettuce. The nutritional value of lettuce is:-

100 grams of lettuce contains
Calories - 15g
Total fat - 0.5g
Saturated fat - 0mg
Cholesterol - 0mg
Vitamin - C, K, A and iron
Carbohydrates - 1g
Protein - 1g
Fibre - 5g

The few health benefits I know includes :-

1. Hydration: raw lettuce is made up of 90% water. Eating raw lettuce keeps the body hydrated
2. Bone strength: vitamin k strengthen the bone and reduces the risk of bone fracture.
3. Improves eye sight (vision) : Lettuce is a good source of vitamin A which is plays a role in eye health and reduces the potential risk of cataracts.

Conclusion

The consumption of lettuce increases the complete cholesterol final product, excretion and better phytochemical(antioxidants) status due to the richness in vitamin C E and k. My article has clearly shown that lettuce has a beneficial impact on our health.

Thanks for your time in reading my article today

I invite @goodybest, @mesola and @usoro01 to participate.

KNOW MORE ABOUT ME

Cc,
@patjewell