Incredible Benefits of Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is one of the main constituents in salads
and is known for its crunchy texture. It has comparatively less nutrients than
the other greens that you may find in salads.
Nutritional Facts
Iceberg lettuce is an excellent source of potassium and
manganese, as well as a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and
phosphorous. It also contains traces of sodium, copper, and zinc.
Vitamin Content
Iceberg lettuce is rich in vitamin A, K, and C. It is also a
good source of thiamin, vitamin B6, and folate (vitamin B9).
Caloric Content
Iceberg lettuce contains 14 calories per 100 grams. It
mainly contains water and dietary fiber. This food is low in sodium, and is
very low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Health Benefits of Iceberg Lettuce
There are many health benefits of iceberg lettuce that
include weight loss, birth defect prevention, and reduced risk of diseases such
as cancer and heart diseases. Let us discuss these in detail:
Weight Loss
It
is rich in vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin required for healthy eyes,
growth and development of bones, and strengthening of the immune system.
Birth Defect Prevention
Iceberg
lettuce is a good source of foliate. Intake of foliate-rich foods by pregnant women helps to prevent birth defects such as spine bifida and anencephaly.
Blood Clotting
Iceberg lettuce also contains vitamin K which aids in the
production of proteins required by the body for normal blood clotting.
Fights Diseases
It is considered that, owing to the foliate
content, iceberg lettuce also helps in fighting cancer, heart diseases, and
strokes.
How to Select & Store Iceberg Lettuce?
Always select lettuce that is fresh and has crisp leaves.
Avoid buying the ones that are slimy or wilted. Wash well before use to avoid
any food borne illness and store in a cool place.
Quick Ways to Serve Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce can be used in various recipes. It can be
added to any salad- fruit, vegetable, chicken or seafood salad, sandwich, soup
or stir-fry.
Source: yahoo answer
