Load with powerful antioxidants

Red leaf lettuce contains a high concentration of antioxidants, which protect your body from the harm produced by unstable chemicals known as free radicals. A high level of free radicals in your body may raise your risk of certain illnesses. The antioxidant beta carotene, a carotenoid pigment that your body turns into vitamin A, is notably abundant in red-leaf lettuce. Eating enough beta carotene may improve your vision and lower your chance of macular degeneration, a condition that can result in visual loss.

Furthermore, anthocyanins, a kind of flavonoid antioxidant, are responsible for the reddish-purple colors of red leaf lettuce. Diets high in anthocyanin-rich foods have been associated with improvements in heart disease risk variables such as HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Red leaf lettuce is also high in vitamin C, another potent antioxidant. This vitamin-rich diet may lower your risk of heart disease and some malignancies.