benefits of iceberg lettuce

Iceberg lettuce is the most commonly purchased type of lettuce in America. It comes in large balls of wrapped leaves, and is well suited for cold environments. It contains more water than other types of lettuce, giving it a refreshingly crisp yet moisturized texture. It is a popular choice for homemade salads and toppings for mexican dishes. Iceberg lettuce can be found in almost every supermarket across the country. It is also known as crisphead lettuce.

Iceberg lettuce is one of six types of lettuce in the Lactuca sativa family. It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods. These lettuce cultivars include Bay View, Beacon, Coyote, Crusader, Hallmark and Laguna Fresca to name but a few. Iceberg lettuce that is developed for supermarket standards is packed in the field into cartons and then immediately oxygen deprived and vacuum cooled in cold rooms to remove field heat. This eliminates the opportunity for the lettuce to quickly breakdown. For certain, Iceberg lettuce was developed for the long haul. It can be shipped globally and command a shelf life of three to four weeks.

Iceberg lettuce may lack in overt flavor, it makes up for in its texture and crunchiness. Its tightly bound and broadly shaped leaves are thickwalled and concentrated with more water than virtually any other green. Iceberg lettuce varies in color depending on each particular cultivar, where and how it was grown. Outer leaves range in color from sea green to lime green while inner leaves range from pale yellow to a translucent white. All the leaves form a nearly perfect globular head. See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce.php?item=5882#sthash.A6y7LIV2.dpuf

The classic use of iceberg lettuce is a cold wedge salad with Roquefort or Blue Cheese dressings. Iceberg lettuce is ubiquitously cut into wedges and can simply be graced by blue cheese dressing and bacon to become a satisfying and economically frugal first course. Other simple companion accoutrements include herbs such as basil and flat leaf parsley, tomatoes, shallots, hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken and a classic vinaigrette of olive oil, dried herbs and cider vinegar. See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce.php?item=5882#sthash.A6y7LIV2.dpuf

Iceberg lettuce was developed from the French Crisphead lettuce, Batavia, by W. Atlee Burpee & Co. in 1894. It was originally named for its ice white color and crunchy texture but its namesake evolved over the next halfcentury to reflect its method of shipment: buried in ice in Trans Atlantic railroad cars. In the mid20th Century, Iceberg lettuce became a symbol of Americas rapidly industrializing agricultural system as it received a technological jolt to increase its value. Whirlpool Corporation developed controlled and modified atmospheres and packaging, giving Iceberg lettuce a greater shelflife and transportational endurance. This technological advance allowed for Iceberg lettuce to become perhaps the single most important commercial lettuce world wide. Iceberg lettuce varieties are continually being modified and redeveloped to improve quality and disease resistance. See more at: http://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce.php?item=5882#sthash.A6y7LIV2.dpuf

The darker the color of the salad green, the more nutritious it is. Betacarotene is the chief diseasefighting nutrient found in the darkercolored greens. As an antioxidant, it battles certain cancers, heart disease, and cataracts. A darkgreen color also indicates the presence of folic acid, which helps prevent neuraltube birth defects in the beginning stages of pregnancy. Researchers are uncovering other important contributions folic acid has to offer to your wellbeing, like its role in the prevention of heart disease and inflammation. Most salad greens are also notable sources of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

A century ago there was a very distinct reason why Iceberg lettuce was so popular. Consumers did not have much choice in the lettuces or other nutritious leafy vegetables available to them.Unless you grew your own vegetables or lived close to a farm your food choices were limited to those products which your local supermarket carried.

Most of iceberg lettuces calories come from its carbohydrate content. Each 2cup serving the serving size that counts as 1 cup of veggies, according to the Harvard School of Public Health provides you with 4 grams of total carbohydrates, including 1.8 grams of dietary fiber. Carbs serve as fuel to keep your nervous system functioning and support muscle contraction, while dietary fiber helps you feel satisfied after your meal and fights constipation.

Iceberg Lettuce nutritional benefits also helps in protecting the body from indigestive agents. It breaks down heavy protein and carbohydrates and gives proper functioning stomach. So it regulates bowel movements for which constipation and acid reflux can be cured.

This green leafy vegetable contains dietary fiber along with Omega fatty acids that strengthens your health. So these nutrients give sufficient energy to maintain your health with proper functioning. So eating of these types of vegetables promotes good health.