Good Lifestyle

Lettuce is a popular raw vegetable in Vietnamese families' meals, especially for women who intend to keep shapes and lose weight. However, the abuse of this vegetable will cause some people to have serious health problems.

Benefits of eating lettuce

During meals, salads are often used with water, rolls, salads or barbecue. Lettuce has very low calories but is a source of fiber, vitamin A and betacarotene with excellent antioxidant properties. This familiar raw vegetable also contains a large amount of vitamin K, C, B-6, E, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, etc.

Besides the positive effect on keeping and beautifying the skin, lettuce brings many health benefits.

Solving insomnia

Since the Middle Ages, lettuce has been used to reduce insomnia. When cutting or breaking lettuce, you will see a white liquid secreted called Lactucarium. This is a substance that has sedative properties and promotes sleep like opium but has no side effects. In addition, lettuce also contains another substance called lactucin, which helps the mind relax, causing drowsiness.

Against cancer cells

A large amount of phenolic compounds in lettuce help scientists explain the anti -cancer ability of this vegetable. Specifically, lettuce has the ability to inhibit the growth and multiply of cancer cells in the body. In addition, this food can also help eliminate defective cancer cells from the body. Another study said that the salad is high in flavonoids - a substance that helps protect the body from lung cancer and oral cavity.

Improve cardiovascular health

The high level of bad cholesterol in the body can lead to cardiovascular diseases. However, vitamin C and betacarotene in salads can be coordinated to prevent the formation of plaque in the artery walls, protecting heart health. In addition, the vitamin C in lettuce also has the effect of reducing artery hardness and supporting the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Besides, lettuce is also rich in potassium, which reduces blood pressure and prevents heart disease. A study of Denmark's diet, cancer and health has shown that people who eat lots of green vegetables, especially lettuce are at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Preventing neuropathy and Parkinson

The phenolic compounds in lettuce have antioxidant properties and prevent nerve cell degeneration, which helps protect the brain from harmful risks. Lettuce is also rich in nitrate, which can be converted into nitric oxide in the body, helping to transmit cell signals and promote endothelial function, function plays an important role in maintaining cognitive and drought ability. other neurological disorders related to aging. In addition, red -red lettuce usually has high concentrations of anthocyanin. These are antioxidant molecules that have a significant effect on reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Enhance eye health

Lettuce contains zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that prevents the degeneration of gold spots related to age. In addition to Zeaxanthin, lettuce and dark green vegetables also contain lutein pigments, which play an important role in enhancing the process of preventing cataracts and improving eye function.

Groups of people should stay away from lettuce

Despite many nutritional and health benefits, this vegetable can cause dangerous side effects to the health of the following groups.

People with digestive disorders

Contrary to the thoughts of many people, lettuce is not good for people with digestive disorders. Lettuce contains a large amount of fiber, which can lead to symptoms of flatulence, gastric spasms, diarrhea, especially if you have sensitive digestive system.

Anticoagulant users

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, lettuce has abundant vitamin K, is a concern for those who use anticoagulants. People who are taking this drug if eating a lot of lettuce will affect the effectiveness of the drug, even, can lead to blood clots.

Old people, children and pregnant women

Raw vegetables like lettuce often contain a large amount of harmful bacteria and parasites such as E. coli and salmonella. These bacteria often stick to the surface of the leaves or penetrate inside the lettuce leaves. Anyone may be at risk of infection with E.coli bacteria from lettuce, but the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with impaired immune system are a group of people who need to be higher because There is a high risk of more serious symptoms.

Kidney failure

For those with kidney failure, the kidneys cannot remove excess potassium and phosphorus. Lettuce is a food rich in potassium and phosphorus, so people with kidney failure should consider and consult a doctor if they want to use lettuce.

Note when cleaning lettuce

To clean the lettuce, first, you need to remove the leaves outside and the leaves are torn and stamped. After that, you should wash the green vegetables under the tap, and rub it on the leaf surface with your hands. Health experts recommend that you should not soak raw vegetables in a brass filled with water, because bacteria from one leaf can spread to other leaves through water. After washing your lettuce under strong flowing water, you can soak your lettuce in a basin of clean water mixed with salt to kill bacteria. Then, dry salads or dry vegetables with a towel. These thorough hygiene steps will help believers love raw vegetables to remove some bacteria on lettuce.