Health benefits and nutritional value of cos lettuce
by Medicalnewstoday.com
Romaine lettuce is a crispy salad green with high nutritional value. Its vitamin and mineral content offers a range of health benefits, and there are many simple ways to add romaine lettuce to the diet.
In this article, we look at the nutritional content of romaine lettuce, the health benefits it may offer, and how to include it in meals.
What is Cos (Romaine) Lettuce?
Cos (romaine) lettuce is a type of salad lettuce. It comes from the same plant family as other types of lettuce.
The name “romaine” suggests that the lettuce might have originated in Rome. It also grows well in the Mediterranean climate.
Romaine lettuce leaves are long and taper toward the root of the lettuce. The upper part of the leaves is a deeper green colour and more flimsy than the lower leaves.
Toward the bottom of the lettuce, the leaves become sturdier and have thick, white ribs that contain a slightly bitter fluid. This gives romaine lettuce its distinctive taste.
The amount of this bitter fluid increases farther down the stalk. Some people throw away the thickest part of the leaves to avoid this bitterness.
Cos lettuce is more than just a tasty leaf that adds colour and crunch to a salad. It also provides vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
For example, one 70 gram (g) salad serving of romaine lettuce contains:
- 65.4 g of water
- 13.3 kilocalories
- 1 g of protein
- 2.7 g of carbohydrate
- 2.2 g of fiber
- 43.4 milligrams (mg) of calcium
- 0.6 mg of iron
- 14 mg of magnesium
- 24.5 mg of phosphorus
- 229 mg of potassium
- 17.5 mg of sodium
- 90.3 micrograms (mcg) of folate
- 194 mcg of vitamin A
- 8.1 mg of vitamin C
- 2,320 mcg of beta-carotene
- 147 mcg of vitamin K
Cos lettuce is suitable for people who wish to lose weight, due to its high nutrient density and low calorie content.
However, it can be a tasty and healthful addition to any meal and eating plan. The nutrients and minerals it contains can provide benefits to anyone who regularly eats it.
We cover some of cos lettuce’s possible health benefits in the sections below.
Antioxidants
Cos lettuce is a good source of vitamins C and A, which are antioxidants. These play a key role in balancing and maintaining many systems in the body.
The body naturally produces unstable molecules called free radicals during metabolism. Environmental exposures also cause the body to take in free radicals.
However, if too many free radicals build up in the body, it can cause a condition known as oxidative stress. Cell damage can result, and this can lead to health problems.
The body can eliminate free radicals naturally, but it may have difficulty eliminating all of them. Antioxidants in foods appear to boost the body’s ability to do this.
Examples of conditions in which free radicals may play a role include:
- cancer
- cardiovascular disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- cataracts
- age-related macular degeneration
The antioxidant content of cos (romaine) lettuce may help support a person’s immune system and protect against various health concerns.
Learn more about the benefits and sources of antioxidants here.
Heart and circulatory health
The high levels of potassium within cos lettuce can help maintain cardiovascular health.
In addition, the antioxidant vitamins A and C in the lettuce may help prevent cholesterol from building up and forming plaque in the arteries.
The folate in romaine lettuce may also help prevent serious heart complications. It does this by breaking down the chemical homocysteine so that the body can remove it.
A 2015 review suggests that people with a folate deficiency face a higher risk of having too much homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine may contribute to heart conditions.
Cos lettuce is a good source of folate, which can help keep this chemical in check.
It also contains some fibre, which plays a key role in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
What other foods provide antioxidants? Find out here.
Potassium, sodium, and the cardiovascular system
Cos (romaine) lettuce is also rich in the heart-healthy mineral potassium.
Potassium helps muscles such as the heart contract regularly. One review in the BMJ concludes that higher levels of potassium might help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.
Sodium and potassium are electrolytes. The body needs both sodium and potassium to maintain healthy levels of bodily fluids and circulating blood.
Experts recommend consuming more potassium than sodium, as too much sodium can give rise to heart problems.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 recommend that adults consume around 4,700 mg of potassium and no more than 2,300 mg of sodium each day.
Cos (romaine) lettuce provides both sodium and potassium in healthful proportions.
How much salt should we eat? Find out here.
Eye health
Vitamin A helps protect eye health. The vitamin A in cos lettuce might help prevent eye conditions such as cataracts as people get older.
Also, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), beta-carotene may help prevent a condition called macular degeneration. This is one of the leading causes of vision loss due to aging.
Many plants, including cos (romaine) lettuce, provide beta-carotene. This may make it a good option for people wishing to boost eye health.
Learn more about age-related macular degeneration here.
Cancer prevention
The antioxidants and folate within cos (romaine) lettuce might help protect the body from cancer.
The NIH state that folate that occurs naturally in food may help decrease the risk of several forms of cancer.
Learn more about folate here.
Possible health risksCos (romaine) lettuce can be a healthful part of a varied diet, but some people have expressed concern that salad greens may carry toxins.
For example, contamination can occur if farmers grow their produce in contaminated soil or irrigate it with contaminated water.
Cos (romaine) lettuce is a living green that needs eating within a few days of purchase. The fresher the leaves, the more nutrients they will provide. When choosing romaine lettuce at the store or farmers market, always look for healthy, crisp leaves.
Thoroughly wash cos (romaine) lettuce before use by pulling off each leaf and rinsing any debris or dirt from the surface.
Alternatively, soak the lettuce in water briefly and lightly massage the leaves to remove the dirt, then dry with a dishcloth or in a salad spinner.
People can chop the leaves or use them whole, depending on personal preference or the recipe.
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