The nutrition facts about iceberg lettuce are one of the most misunderstood among everyday people.
For years, iceberg lettuce has been left out of the salad bowl having been deemed of having no nutritional value. This is not true. Iceberg Lettuce gets passed by for other more power-packed greens such as Romaine lettuce, spinach, red leaf lettuce and the like. It’s not the most nutrient rich lettuce, but it’s one of the most nutrient rich foods in the world based on nutrient per calorie ratios, or the ANDI Scores.
According to the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index by Joel Fuhrman M.D., iceberg lettuce is the 24th most nutrient dense food in the world!
Many people, however, prefer the crispness of iceberg, which until the 1930s was called crisp head lettuce, to other lettuce choices which are more nutrient rich. The crispness of iceberg is unique. No other lettuce has the same cool, enjoyable crunch.
The 3 Important Nutritional Facts about Iceberg Lettuce
- Iceberg lettuce is a viable source of Vitamin A also called retinol, which promotes healthy eyes, skin, and mucous membranes… The vitamin is known to specifically help the eyes focus in low-light settings. Regular consumption of iceberg lettuce has been noted to slow down the formation of cancerous tumors, with vitamin A inhibiting rogue DNA from forming cancerous cells.
- Iron is another important nutrient found in iceberg lettuce, and can help to fortify the body’s cells with oxygen. As a key component to the nutritional value of iceberg lettuce, iron wards off anemia, a condition where the body has a low blood cell count. Low iron deficiency can potentially cause weakness and fatigue, so eating iceberg lettuce will help to replenish iron stores within the body.
- Calcium, a mineral used to help with bone growth, is naturally found in iceberg lettuce. Adding to the nutritional value of iceberg lettuce, calcium can be beneficial for growing children, who are still in the developmental stage of their lives. Elderly people can also benefit from the calcium found in iceberg lettuce, with the mineral helping to ward off osteoporosis.
Due to its relatively low calorie count, Iceberg lettuce can be a beneficial diet staple for any individual who is on a weight-loss program. Large amounts of the lettuce can be consumed, subsequently filling up the stomach and making the person feel full for long periods of time. Lettuce tends to be fibrous with a high water content, which lends to its ability to make the stomach feel full.