Eating healthy is one way for you to protect yourself against common ailments such as colds and cough, and if you start introducing the right kinds of foods to your diet, you are actually increasing your chances of being immune to different types of diseases ranging from mild to severe. Most healthy diets are replete with salads that are made from fruits and vegetables. One such ingredient that you should make it a point to add to your regular diet is Romaine lettuce as it is packed with plenty of health benefits that you are sure to enjoy. What benefits can you get from this leafy vegetable? Here are some that are worth mentioning.
It is good for your digestive tract
Romaine lettuce is known for its high fiber content which is needed by the body to cleanse the digestive tract. With every serving of this lettuce, you are getting 2 grams of fiber already. Fiber is not usually digested but it can actually absorb the toxins and chemicals in the body and flush them out. Eating high fiber diets can reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Make sure that you drink plenty of water while enjoying your lettuce salad so you will have better bowel movements.
It is one of the best sources of antioxidants
Another benefit to having Romaine lettuce in your diet is that it is packed with antioxidants like vitamins A and C. These two vitamins are critical in several functions of the body by getting rid of the free radicals that are causing damage from within. It can help reduce your risk from heart disease, cancer, as well as arthritis just to name a few.
It aids in weight loss
What else can you get from eating Romaine lettuce? How about faster weight loss results? If you are trying to shed excess pounds, you will need to reduce your calorie intake. Fortunately, romaine lettuce has low calorie content. As a matter of fact, it only has 17 calories per serving so that, no matter how many times you eat this food in a day, you still won’t increase your calorie intake. Another plus to eating romaine lettuce is that it is high in water content which means you’ll feel full faster.
It prevents bone loss
Another benefit to eating romaine lettuce is that it is one of the best sources of vitamin K which aids in preventing bone loss. There are studies that show that eating foods that contain this vitamin can improve bone density which, in turn, can fight off bone problems like osteoporosis and arthritis. Eating this vegetable can also aid in blood clotting as well as healing bruises which mean that your body can repair itself easily with the vitamin K the romaine lettuce contains.
It improves muscle strength
The potassium present in romaine lettuce is not just for improving your heart health but your muscle strength too. When the potassium levels in your body are low, you are sure to experience muscle weakness. A serving of romaine lettuce can deliver 475 mg of potassium or about 10% of your daily needs.
It enhances eye health
The vitamins A and C found in romaine lettuce can help protect your eyes against deterioration. You won’t have to worry about cataracts, glaucoma, or even macular degeneration when you have a healthy intake of vitamins A and C. Constant intake of foods that have high antioxidants can prevent eye problems in the long run.
These are just a few examples of known benefits of romaine lettuce which you should take advantage of. Having this lettuce as part of your diet is guaranteed to make you healthier compared to before.
