When it comes to lettuce, I don't know if everyone is familiar with this vegetable. It is one of the vegetables that are often seen in winter and spring. It is often said, "Spring lettuce is like gold." It can be seen how high the nutritional value of lettuce is. Today, I want to tell you that this vegetable is called the king of anti-cancer vegetables! It promotes blood circulation, protects the heart and liver, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar. It's an essential part of every meal! According to traditional Chinese medicine, lettuce has a bitter taste and a cold nature. It has the effects of nourishing the five organs, promoting blood circulation, strengthening the tendons and bones, opening the chest and diaphragm, and promoting urination. It also helps lower blood pressure and blood sugar.
【Lettuce】
Lettuce is worth a thousand gold in spring
1. Increases appetite
Lettuce has a fresh taste with a slight bitterness, which can stimulate digestion and increase bile secretion. It also stimulates gastrointestinal peristalsis, which helps to increase appetite.
2. Anti-allergic rhinitis
Eating lettuce during the warm spring season may have unexpected benefits. The latest research has found that it has a certain effect in combating allergic rhinitis.
3. "Activator" for insulin
Lettuce contains rich vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber, and other components. Among them, niacin is considered an activator for insulin. Eating lettuce in moderation can help improve sugar metabolism.
4. Nourishes the liver and resists gout
The stems and leaves of lettuce contain a white milky liquid called lactucin, which has analgesic and anesthetic effects. It can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and promote appetite. It improves liver function and helps resist rheumatic diseases and gout.
5. Protects the heart
Lettuce has the highest potassium content, which is beneficial for promoting urination and reducing the pressure on the atrium of the heart. It is extremely beneficial for patients with hypertension and heart disease.
6. Improves sleep
Lettuce contains a small amount of iodine, which has a significant impact on human basal metabolism, mental and physical development, and even emotional regulation. Therefore, lettuce has a sedative effect. Regular consumption helps eliminate tension, stabilize emotions, and promote sleep.
【Lettuce Recipes】
1. Lettuce + Black Fungus
Lettuce can increase appetite and promote digestion, while black fungus has the effects of nourishing qi, nourishing the stomach, moisturizing the lungs, reducing fat, etc. It has preventive and therapeutic effects on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Lettuce + Shiitake Mushroom
Lettuce and shiitake mushrooms are a good combination for diuretic, laxative, and lowering blood lipid and blood pressure. It is suitable for chronic nephritis, habitual constipation, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
3. Lettuce + Garlic Sprouts
Lettuce is beneficial for the five organs, opens the chest and diaphragm, promotes blood circulation, strengthens tendons and bones, cleans teeth, brightens the eyes, and clears heat and detoxification. Garlic sprouts have the functions of detoxification and sterilization. Stir-frying these two vegetables together can prevent and treat hypertension.
【How to choose lettuce】
1. Choose lettuce with fresh and shiny green stems and leaves, without withering, mossy, spotted, or rotten leaves.
2. Lettuce with dense leaf veins is better and has higher nutritional value.
3. Fresh lettuce can be stored for 2-3 days in a cool and ventilated place, and can be kept fresh for about a week in the refrigerator. It should be stored separately from apples, pears, and bananas to avoid browning.
【Precautions】
1. Lettuce is not suitable for excessive saltiness. It is better to use less salt for better taste.
2. In fact, the nutritional value of lettuce leaves is higher, so it is best to eat lettuce with the leaves.
3. Lettuce can be eaten raw or cooked. It can be cold mixed, stir-fried, braised, and even processed into pickles and kimchi. Recommended dishes: stir-fried lettuce with shredded meat, cold mixed lettuce shreds, lettuce leaf with tofu, hot and sour lettuce, etc.
4. Although lettuce is good, it should not be eaten too much. If eating too much lettuce causes night blindness and eye diseases, simply stop eating lettuce, and it will improve after a few days.
It's amazing how common lettuce can be. It is not only the precious vegetable of spring but also the king of anti-cancer vegetables. Make sure to eat more lettuce in spring!
