10 Health Benefits of Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce is a type of lettuce that is popular throughout the world. It differs from other kinds of lettuce in that it is tolerant to heat, making it suitable for growing in hot climates. It is thought that it was originally introduced from the island of Cos in Greece, which is how the lettuce acquired the British name of Cos lettuce.
Romaine lettuce is popular in salads and it is usually the choice of lettuce in Caesar salads. It is also used in cooking and in some traditions.
As with other types of lettuce, romaine lettuce is a good source of nutrition, albeit with some differences. This article looks at 10 benefits of romaine lettuce.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #1: Complete Proteins
Our bodies are made up largely of building blocks that we know as proteins. There are different types of proteins and those found in vegetables are generally different from those found in animals. The best types are complete proteins as these contain all nine of the amino acids that are essential for our body.
Most proteins found in vegetables are incomplete proteins only, meaning that we would still have to supplement our diets with meat. Around 20% of the calories in romaine lettuce are proteins, many of which are complete. This can help vegetarians and vegans to get the nutrition that they need, but it is still important to make sure that all our nutritional needs are accounted for.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #2: Helps You Sleep
Sleeping is one of the most natural things that we can do, but for some people, it can be very difficult. Many people will toss and turn at night and end up getting very little sleep, if any at all. It can make life very difficult for people as they are constantly very tired, through no fault of their own.
If you are having difficulty sleeping then your diet may be part of the problem, and romaine lettuce may be the answer. Romaine lettuce contains a substance known as lactucarium, and this is thought to be able to help us sleep. Lactucarium has even been likened to opium in that regard, and without the negative aspects.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #3: High in Fiber
Fiber helps to absorb liquids in our digestive system, and this helps our food to pass through our digestive system smoothly. This, in turn, helps to keep our digestive system working effectively and efficiently, helping us to extract as many nutrients from our food as possible.
Romaine lettuce is a good source of fiber, meaning it will help to keep our digestive system in good health. It also helps to make us feel full and keeps us feeling fuller for longer. This is ideal for people that are trying to lose weight as it helps to limit the amount of food they eat.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #4: Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation has the potential to cause considerable discomfort in the body. It can be a result of a wide range of causes, from disease to injury. It can be very painful, and it can even affect the proper functioning of our vital organs. Some people find that inflammation has a considerable impact on their quality of life.
Inflammation can also be very difficult to treat, and there is often no known cure. That leaves us trying to manage the symptoms as best we can to try and make ourselves feel more comfortable. The right diet can help to this end, and romaine lettuce contains compounds that help to keep inflammation at a minimum.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #5: Suitable for Diabetics
Diabetics are people that are unable to regulate the amount of sugar that is flowing through their blood. As such, their blood sugar levels can become higher than usual, and this can be quite dangerous for the patient. As such, people with the condition always need to be careful about the food that they eat.
Unlike other types of lettuce, romaine lettuce has a glycemic index of zero. This means that it will not cause spikes in the levels of sugar in the blood, making it ideal for diabetics. It is a food that diabetics can eat in complete confidence, although of course they will still need to be mindful of what else they are eating alongside it.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #6: Antifungal
Candida albicans is a common type of yeast that is often found living in our digestive system. Indeed, it populates the stomachs of around 40–60% of all people but it is usually completely harmless to us. It can sometimes grow out of control, however, and this can be very problematic for us.
Studies have shown that romaine lettuce has antifungal properties. This means that it can help to deal with problematic fungi in the digestive system, and this includes Candida albicans. As such, including plenty of romaine lettuce in our diet can help to keep our digestive system in good condition overall.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #7: Healthy Brain
As people grow older, their cognitive powers will also often begin to falter. The degree to which they falter varies considerably. Many people will be fortunate enough to experience no decline at all. Others, however, will find that they are not able to remember people that have been with them for much of their lives.
Romaine lettuce, however, is a neuroprotector. This means that it can help to prevent the death of neurons in the brain, something that could otherwise lead to conditions such as Alzheimer’s. As such, including plenty of romaine lettuce can help to keep you mentally sharp for long into your old age.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #8: Reduces Anxiety
Anxiety is not necessarily a bad thing in itself. In fact, it is often necessary as it helps to put us in a heightened sense of alertness. This helps us to react to certain events accordingly and ensure that important things get done. Too much of it is definitely not a good thing for us, however.
Studies have shown that lettuce contains compounds that may be able to reduce anxiety. This can be very beneficial even if the decrease is slight, and if it is only temporary. Remember that you should really arrange to speak with a professional if prolonged anxiety is a problem for you.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #9: Weight Loss
Obesity is a problem that affects countless people across the planet. It can pose a very serious risk to our health and obese people should do what they can to get themselves down to a healthier weight. This can be very difficult to achieve, however, and they will need all the help that they can get.
Romaine lettuce can help you to shift those extra pounds, though. It is high in both cellulose and fiber, both of which help people to feel full. It is also low in calories, which is obviously beneficial for weight loss diets. Those factors, plus the fact it is a good source of nutrition, make romaine lettuce ideal for weight loss diets.
Romaine Lettuce Benefit #10: Healthy Pregnancies
Being pregnant is one of the most exciting things that can happen to anybody, with the rest of the family being excited also. There is a lot of hard work to be done, though, and the mother will need to take steps to ensure the baby develops well. This includes eating the right kind of foods, and this can mean eating plenty of romaine lettuce.
Romaine lettuce is a good source of folates and vitamin K. Both of these are essential for the proper development of growing fetuses. Plus, of course, it offers other benefits that help to keep the mother in good health overall.
