Lettuce which belongs to the composite family is native to Europe and Asia but today is grown throughout the world. Lettuce can be grown in a wide variety of soils including marshy and sandy. Ample sunlight, cool weather and plenty of moisture are essential for a well developed lettuce. High temperature can lead to inferior quality.

Lettuce contain alkaloids which is responsible for it therapeutic effect. Although all varieties of lettuce have low calories, each variety has different nutrient content. Romaine lettuce is the most nutrient-dense of all the lettuce varieties and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, folic acid, manganese and chromium, while Iceberg lettuce variety provides a good source of choline. It is important to know that the outer leaves may contain fifty times more nutrients than the stem, so eat everything.

Nutritive Values: Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A: 540 I.U.
• Vitamin B: Thiamine .04 mg.
• Riboflavin: .08 mg.
• Niacin: .2 mg.
• Vitamin C: 8 mg.
• There is also a substantial amount of Vitamin E
• Calcium: 22 mg.
• Iron: .5 mg.
• Phosphorus: 25 mg.
• Potassium: 125 mg.
• Fat: .2 gm.
• Carbohydrates: 2.9 gm.
• Protein: 1.2 gm.
• Calories: 15

Health Benefits:

• All lettuce is a good source of chlorophyll and vitamin K.
• Lettuce is very good for dieters because it is very low in calories.
• Lettuce is a good source of Iron which is the most active element in the body therefore it must be replenished frequently to meet any sudden demand of the body such as the rapid formation of red blood corpuscles in heavy loss of blood.
• Lettuce magnesium content has exceptional vitalizing powers especially in the muscular tissues, the brain and the nerves.
• The juice of lettuce combined with carrot and spinach juice is very helpful for maintaining the normal color of the hair.
• Lettuce is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a sleep inducing substance.
• Lettuce may also help treat the following problems; acid indigestion, anemia, arthritis, catarrh, circulatory problems, colitis, constipation, cough, diabetes, gastritis, gout, insomnia, irritable bowel, obesity, sexual addiction, stress, tuberculosis, ulcers and urinary tract diseases.