Lettuce (Lactuva sativa) is an annual plant first cultivated by Egyptians. It has been used in Unani for centuries for treating many ailments.

In ancient Egypt, lettuce was considered an aphrodisiac representing the celebrated food of the Egyptian god of fertility, Min.

Benefits

1. Help Treat Insomnia and anxiety

Lactucarium, a substance in lettuce, sedates the nervous system and promotes sleep. Lettuce also contains another substance called lactucin, which induces sleep and relaxation. It was used even in medieval times to relieve insomnia.

Lettuce oil has anxiolytic properties that help to control anxiety. Lettuce has a role in neurological health process and so helps to deal with mental problems such as depression.

2.  Fight Inflammation

Certain proteins in lettuce, like lipoxygenase and carrageenan, help control inflammation. Lettuce has been used in folk medicine to relieve inflammation and osteodynia (pain in the bones).

The vitamins A, E, and K in lettuce may help lower inflammation

3.  Promote Brain Health

Extreme cases of brain harm can lead to the death of neuronal cells, leading to severe brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. The lettuce extracts, as per numerous studies, had controlled this neuronal cell death due to its role in GSD or glucose/serum deprivation.

Lettuce oil also helps to prevent onset of diseases like Parkinson’s which is caused due to the death of neuron cells.

4. Boost Heart Health

Lettuce oil is a good source of folate, which is a B vitamin that converts homocysteine into methionine. Unconverted homocysteine can damage the blood vessels and lead to the accumulation of plaque, thereby damaging the heart.

Lettuce oil is also a rich source of vitamin C, which reduces arterial stiffness and helps in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. It may strengthen arteries and even prevent heart attacks.

Lettuce oil also contains potassium that lowers blood pressure and prevents heart disease. Lettuce oil can also increase HDL (the good cholesterol) and reduce the levels of LDL.

5. Promote Vision Health

Lettuce oil contains zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that boosts vision health. It is found to prevent age-related macular degeneration. Dark greens like lettuce contain both lutein and zeaxanthin. These help promote vision health and preventing cataracts and other eye diseases.

6. Enhance Bone Health

Vitamins K, A, and C are important in collagen production (the first step in bone formation). Lettuce is rich in all three of them. Vitamin K helps build cartilage and the connective tissues. Vitamin A helps in the development of new bone cells, the deficiency of which can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures. Vitamin C fights bone depletion, which is one of the factors of aging.

Insufficient vitamin K can lead to osteopenia (reduced bone mass) and increased fracture risk. Supplementation of this vitamin reduces bone turnover and enhances bone strength.

7. Boost Immunity and antimicrobial properties

The presence of vitamins A and C in lettuce may make it a good option for boosting immunity.

Lettuce oil has antimicrobial properties and helps to fight the harmful microbes that may cause various diseases. This is due to the presence of terpenes and cardenolides which work to defend our body against bad microbes.

8. Lettuce helps to remove toxins

Minerals present in lettuce oil help to remove the toxins from our body. This helps to maintain the acid balance. Removing the toxins help us to remain healthy as only the beneficial substances are left behind.

9. Improve Muscle Strength and Metabolism

The potassium in lettuce may enhance muscle strength. However, there is no research to support this. Lettuce contains nitrates that are known to promote exercise capacity. These may help in muscle strength and metabolism.

10. May Fight Anemia

Lettuce oil contains modest amounts of folate. Folate deficiency may also lead to some forms of anemia. Folate also helps fight megaloblastic anemia, which is another type of anemia where the blood cells are very large and underdeveloped. Lettuce oil can also aid the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

11. Antioxidant

Lettuce oil possesses antioxidants that act against the free radicals in our bodies which are formed due to cellular metabolism. These radicals tend to harm the healthy tissues and cells. They may even cause the development of cancer by mutating healthy cells into cancerous cells. Antioxidants work to protect us against this.

12. Improve Skin and Hair Health

The vitamin A in lettuce may promote skin cell turnover. The vitamin C it contains protects the skin from UV radiation. It also delays the signs of aging. Washing your face with lettuce extract or juice in the morning may improve your skin health. Also vitamin K in lettuce oil promotes hair strength as well.