Green leaf lettuce is constantly gaining popularity, either as a single dish or as an accompaniment to other products. Consuming it is a very healthy custom, as it contains plenty of vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients, in addition to being really easy to prepare and providing freshness to all summer meals. While the four types of green lettuce are beneficial for our body, the romaine has the leading position in terms of nutrients.
The four types of green lettuce are the butterhead, the crisphead, the loose-leaf and the romaine. The first has green leaves with fat and a mild flavour, while the crisphead, for instance, the iceberg, presents a paler green.
Loose-leaf lettuce does not grow in heads, but has dark green leaves attached to the stem, and the romaine has a strong flavour and crunchy texture, and is usually served in Caesar salads.
The latter is the one containing the most vitamin A; 17% of the recommended daily intake, compared to the somewhat lower proportions of the rest. It is worth noting that this vitamin takes care of our vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division and various respiratory, urinary and bowel functions, so that the intake of this type of lettuce is very beneficial for our body. At the opposite side of the scale is the iceberg, which, in any case, also provides nutrients and is beneficial to maintaining good health.
Another factor making romaine lettuce the most advisable is its antioxidant content; as along with loose-leaf lettuce, it is the type with the highest concentration of them.
These are especially recommended to prevent chronic diseases, such as heart diseases or cancer. One more reason to eat romaine lettuce is the high content of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid and lutein, as well as as vitamin K.
Besides the types, it is also important to pay attention to the leaves, as the darker they appear, the more nutritious they are. This is due to the fact that they have received more sunlight and synthesised more vitamins and minerals.
There is no reason not to prepare a delicious salad this summer, since it will additionally help you lose weight, as it is a really low-calorie food (an average of seven per cup).
Source: guiagastronomika.diariovasco.
