May keep your heart healthy

In general, a diet high in fruits and vegetables may lower your risk of heart disease. While no studies have been conducted to specifically assess the impact of red leaf lettuce on heart health, this vegetable does offer some heart-healthy qualities. Red leaf lettuce, for example, has 3% of the daily value for magnesium and 5% of the daily value for potassium in just 3 cups (85 grams) of shredded leaves – enough for one medium-sized salad.

Potassium and magnesium keep your heart beating normally and allow your heart's muscle cells to relax. Deficits in these minerals have also been linked to a variety of heat-related illnesses, including excessive blood pressure, heart failure, and coronary heart disease.