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Is it OK to juice lettuce?

Juicing has become a popular way for people to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. Some people juice lettuce along with other ingredients like apples, carrots, and celery. But is juicing lettuce actually good for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Nutritional Content of Lettuce

First, let’s examine the nutritional content of lettuce to understand what nutrients you might get from juicing it.

Nutrient Amount in 1 Cup Shredded Lettuce
Calories 8
Protein 0.6 g
Carbohydrates 1.4 g
Fiber 0.6 g
Vitamin A 746 IU
Vitamin C 2.6 mg
Vitamin K 102 mcg
Folate 53 mcg
Potassium 194 mg

As you can see, lettuce is very low in calories but provides vitamins A, C, and K. It also contains some folate and potassium.

Benefits of Juicing Lettuce

Here are some potential benefits of juicing lettuce:

  • Increases vitamin and mineral intake – Juicing lettuce allows you to consume a concentrated dose of the vitamins and minerals it contains.
  • Easy to digest – Juicing breaks down the plant cell walls in lettuce, making the nutrients more bioavailable and easier to absorb.
  • Hydrating – The high water content of lettuce makes it very hydrating.
  • Low calorie – Adding lettuce to your juices boosts nutrients without adding many calories.
  • Helps increase vegetable intake – Juicing lettuce can help you reach the recommended 4-5 servings of vegetables per day.

Downsides of Juicing Lettuce

However, there are also some downsides to be aware of when it comes to juicing lettuce:

  • Fibre loss – Juicing removes the insoluble fibre content of lettuce. Fibre provides many health benefits and helps promote gut health.
  • Nutrient loss – Some nutrients like vitamin C and folate can be degraded when lettuce is juiced and exposed to air and light.
  • Oxidation – As a leafy green, lettuce has a tendency to oxidize or brown quickly when juiced. This can degrade nutrients.
  • Bitter taste – Lettuce juice has a bitter, earthy flavor that some find unpalatable, especially in large amounts.
  • Gastrointestinal issues – Drinking large quantities of lettuce juice could potentially cause diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset in some people.

Best Practices for Juicing Lettuce

If you want to add lettuce to your juicing recipes, here are some tips:

  • Use only 1-2 leaves per serving – More than this can lead to a very bitter taste.
  • Combine it with sweet fruits and veggies – This helps mask lettuce’s bitter notes. Apples, carrots, celery, cucumber, lemon, and ginger all work well.
  • Drink immediately – To minimize nutrient degradation, drink lettuce juice right after making it.
  • Rotate leafy greens – For diversity of nutrients and flavors, use lettuce as part of a rotation with kale, spinach, swiss chard, and other greens.
  • Watch for changes in stool – Too much lettuce juice could cause diarrhea. Start with small amounts.

Lettuce Juicing Recipes

When balancing and masking lettuce’s flavor, you can create tasty lettuce juice recipes like these:

Recipe Ingredients
Green Goodness 2 leaves green leaf lettuce, 2 celery stalks, 1 cucumber, 1 apple, 1⁄2 lemon
Garden Fresh 1 leaf butter lettuce, 1 carrot, 1 tomato, 1⁄2 beet, 1⁄2 apple, handful of parsley
Lettuce Refresh 1 Romaine lettuce leaf, 1 pear, 1 inch ginger, 1⁄2 lemon
Lettuce Rejuvenate 2 leaves red leaf lettuce, 1 handful spinach, 2 carrots, 1 orange, 1⁄2 beet

The Bottom Line

Juicing lettuce can provide concentrated amounts of vitamins A, C, and K along with minerals like potassium and folate. However, some downsides are possible nutritional losses, bitter taste, and gastrointestinal issues.

To benefit from lettuce juicing, use only 1-2 leaves per serving and combine it with fruits, veggies, and herbs that complement its flavor. Drink lettuce juice promptly and watch for changes in bowel movements. Overall, incorporating small amounts of lettuce into fresh juices can be a healthy way to boost your nutrient intake.