(NaturalNews) Lettuce is one of the most popular green and leafy vegetables today, mostly used for salads. Their nutritional value may vary depending on the specific type of lettuce in question. What's noteworthy though, is the ability of lettuce to affect a person's digestion. For those who are currently suffering from digestive problems, the following are some of the known links between this vegetable and the digestive tract.
Lettuce and fiber content
Lettuce is a good source of dietary fiber which is best known for its ability to aid with digestion. The fiber content of lettuce helps with constipation, providing instant relief for those who are suffering from stomach pains. When consumed on a regular basis, individuals will find themselves experiencing regular bowel movement. Contents of this vegetable even provide help with acid indigestion and other dietary complications.
Lettuce itself aids with the digestion
It helps the stomach process different food types, allowing them to pass easily through the body. In fact, eating lettuce is one of the best ways to decrease the risks of having colon cancer. It also helps with urinary tract diseases and effectively slows down digestion of food.
Non digestion benefits of lettuce
Note that although lettuce is widely known for its ability to help with digestion, that's not the only health benefit of lettuce. The vegetable is also packed with vitamin C which helps boost the immune system. It also helps with keeping the heart healthy and is associated with keeping cancer at bay. In some cases,
lettuce is seen as an effective method to prevent premature ejaculation in men.
Perhaps the most popular advantage of eating lettuce is the fact that it has very low calorie content. This means that individuals who want to lose weight are welcome to eat the
vegetable every day. What's better is that it is rich in fiber. Hence, lettuce provides that "full" feeling, allowing a person to control what they eat.
Keep in mind though that the benefits of lettuce on health and
digestion may still depend on the amount of lettuce eaten. It's important that portion control is practiced by individuals since too much can cause digestion problems rather than prevent it.
Ways to serve lettuce
Although lettuce is most often served as a salad together with different dips, the leaves can actually be eaten alone. They are actually a great snack substitute since they offer that distinctive "crunch" people feel when they bite into something delicious. Of course, adding lettuce to a salad or a sandwich works too and doesn't detract too much from its health value.
A good way to serve lettuce that is slowly gaining popularity today is through juicing. Simply use a blender or a juicer to turn the vegetable into something that can be easily drunk. By doing this, individuals will not only get the purest form of the juice but also create their own mixes according to taste. In some cases, individuals add in different fruits or vegetables to make the juice more palatable and healthier.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/lettuce.htmlhttp://www.botanical-online.com/medicinalslactucasativasangles.htmhttp://www.hsc.on.ca/moffatt/bio3a/digestive/digp5.htmAbout the author:Sandeep is an avid rock climber, Mountaineer, runner, and fitness coach. He shares his tips for staying in shape and eating healthy on several fitness sites.
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