Lettuce
Lettuce is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps; it can also be grilled
The nutrients in a lettuce can help you to meet the standard daily requirements for several vitamins and minerals. They include:
- Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps keep your immune system healthy.
- Calcium, which keeps bones and teeth strong. It also supports muscle function, nerve function, and blood clotting.
- Vitamin K, a vitamin that works with calcium to prevent bone fractures. It’s also integral for blood clotting.
- Vitamin A (as beta carotene), a powerful antioxidant that helps to maintain night vision and eye health. It also supports cell growth.
- Folate, a B vitamin that helps to make DNA and genetic material. It’s especially important for women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant.
- Potassium, a mineral that reduces blood pressure by lessening the effects of salt in the diet.
Lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is a leafy herbaceous annual or biennial plant in the family Asteraceae grown for its leaves which are used as a salad green. The lettuce plant can vary greatly in size, shape and leaf type but generally, the leaves of the plant form a dense head or loose rosette. The stem of the plant is short, with larger leaves arranged at the bottom and becoming progressively smaller further up the stem.
Leaves can be smooth or curly and are usually green or red in color. The lettuce plant can grow to a height of 30–100 cm (12–40 in) in height and is typically grown as an annual, harvested after only one growing season. Lettuce may be referred to as garden lettuce and is believed to originate from Asia Minor and the Middle East.
Information was provided by Healthline - A fantastic website that provides medical information and health advice you can trust.
www.healthline.com
Great ideas and recipes for this amazing vegetable:
www.allrecipes.com
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