Notable Personality Factors:
Within the leafy green kingdom, romaine lettuce rules! Its disease-fighting, anti-aging, energy-enhancing, and immune-boosting qualities make it a nutritional standout for keeping you vital, youthful, healthy, happy, and well!
In addition to helping prevent unnecessary aging and illness, the great romaine has a centuries-old reputation as a healer and has been revered throughout ancient cultures and civilizations for its medicinal properties. Romaine lettuce originated in the Mediterranean, and at various times Greek, Roman, and French physicians prescribed it for a variety of ailments. Interestingly enough, one of the staunchest supporters of romaine lettuce was Caesar, the Roman emperor, who credited the leafy green vegetable for his recovery from several ailments and even erected a statue in its honor.
Its disease-fighting, anti-aging, energy-enhancing, and immune-boosting qualities make it a nutritional standout for keeping you vital, youthful, healthy, happy, and well!
It’s important to note that romaine lettuce’s higher concentration of nutrients gives it a therapeutic edge over other forms of lettuce. In general, the darker the leaf, the greater the nutritional value. That’s why bitter greens such as spinach and arugula also make a powerful dietary impact, whereas milder forms of lettuce, such as butter-head or iceberg, are less nutritious.
Therapeutic & Healing Values:***
Due to its high concentration of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and chlorophyll, romaine lettuce is a nutritional staple for healing and the prevention of disease. Its unique combination of life-giving nutrients helps activate the body’s ability to:
Self-defend—and protect us from disease;
Self-repair—and counteract the forces of stress, aging, and illness; and
Self-revitalize—and keep us vital, energetic, and full of life
So what are the nutrients that make romaine lettuce so special?
It’s a vitamin A and vitamin C powerhouse, which boost the immune system, help support cardio-vascular health, and protect against all kinds of cancer, including cancer of the colon, rectum and intestines.
It’s rich in immune enhancing and free-radical combating carotenoids—such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
It’s high in fiber, and is a central aid in waste elimination and protecting the body from nutritional toxins and pollutants.
It’s highly alkaline, which makes it a liver friendly food and helps purify and cleanse vital organs and bodily fluids.
It’s rich in folate, an important b-vitamin for synthesizing and repairing DNA and lowering risk for many diseases such as breast cancer
Meanwhile, romaine lettuce also bolsters the blood, helps prevents anemia, increases your resistance to the common cold and flu, and helps fight off infections.
Nutrient Value:
In addition to the vitamins and antioxidants mentioned above, romaine lettuce is also a good source of minerals—such as iron, potassium, molybdenum, manganese, and calcium—omega-3 fatty acids, and several B vitamins (B-1, B-2, B-6).
Selection and Care:
Romaine lettuce should be crisp, leafy, and firm. It stands up straight. Examine the head for wilted leaves, rotting, or discolored edges, all of which are signs of spoilage. The average-sized head of lettuce yields four large salad servings. Wash lettuce well by removing and rinsing one leaf at at time with cool water, and store unused portions in the refrigerator.
Optimal Use and Combining:
To maximize the nutritional and therapeutic value of romaine lettuce, it’s best to eat it fresh and raw. Romaine makes a great base for any green salad. It mixes well with other lettuces and with yellow, orange, red, purple, and green veggies for a crunchy, tasty, salad. By emphasizing romaine lettuce in at least one vegetable salad a day, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the health benefits that this staple vegetable has to offer.
**This article is not intended to treat or diagnose any type of health condition or disease. Any nutritional considerations for any health complication should be discussed with your physician or healthcare provider.