Toma Nota

Lettuce is not the only green vegetable

WATSONVILLE, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Baby spinach grows in a field September 23, 2006 in Watsonville, California. With the recent outbreak of E. Coli being traced to spinach farms in California, growers are looking for ways to make up for the losses they are suffering. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

On these summer days we only think about fresh, light and healthy plates like, for example, salad. But we usually make salads with a main base – lettuce. If you are bored of making all of your salad with lettuce, think that there are more types than the usual one: romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, oak leaf lettuce… You can combine them with the ingredients that you like the most. We show you some varieties in order to have more option for your diet plan. Discover the nutritional benefits that every one of these vegetables has.

Wild Rocket

It has a substance called glucosinolate – which helps to prevent pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. It also helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases and it helps our organism to take the calcium for the bones. It helps in the digestive process and it has a low calorie content. It also improves the immunological system thanks to its vitamin C value. And plus, it has some relevant minerals like potassium and phosphorus.

Lamb’s lettuce

It’s a vegetable with a lot of digestive benefits that help to clean the blood. It’s really good for sight and it also has a lot of iron content, which is really good for people who have anaemia. Lamb’s lettuce is one vegetable of the Valeriana’s family and it was eaten for the clerics in order to calm their sexual desire – thanks to its relaxing properties.

Water-blinks

It is really good for people who have lung problems or have an upper respiratory illness. It has a lot of potassium and silicium, and it helps to prevent conjunctivitis. Be careful because in high intakes, this vegetable could have a laxative effect – but with a normal and usual intake, it helps the digestive process.

Chicory

It has a lot of water content, almost 95% of this vegetable is water. It also has minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium and sodium. It also has vitamins A and C. It would help you with your dietary plan – due to its low caloric content and its fiber benefits. It also helps to strengthen your bones, teeth, hair and the sight.

Endive

It’s the plain variety of chicory. It’s perfect for preventing symptoms of disease like arthritis and gout. It’s highly recommended for diabetic people, plus it helps to reduce bad cholesterol levels and increase good cholesterol levels. It has a lot of fiber and it stimulates the bowel and it strengthens the immunological system.