Don’t be alarmed when sliced lettuce oozes a bit of milky white fluidlactucarium is harmless to your health.
Read on to find out what the white fluid is and what steeped lettuce water is all about.
What’s the white liquid that comes out of lettuce?
Photo: Getty Images / Aniko Hobel
It’s slightly bitter and earthy, but fresh-tasting, like lettuce.
Next time you slice romaine, look for the white sap, but don’t be alarmed.
You may also be surprised to learn that lactucarium is a phytonutrient with a chemical structure similar to opium.
So, it is also known as “lettuce opium,” potentially inducing sleep and relaxation.
However, lactucarium levels in today’s cultivated lettuce are not high enough to induce such effects.
What are the effects of lactucarium?
To investigate the relationship between thesedative effectsof lactucarium in romaine lettuce and sleep, aresearch studywas conducted on rodents.
The mice involved in the clinical studies were also medicated while given the lettuce extract.
The amount you eat in a few leaves is also very minimalunless you ingest heads and heads of lettuce.
You may then possibly notice lactucarium’s sedative effects!
So, it’s unlikely that drinking steeped lettuce water will actually induce sleepiness and relaxation.
Another consideration is that lettuce could potentially be contaminated withE.
TheCenters for Disease Control and Preventionrecommends washing and rinsing lettuce thoroughly before consumption to reduce food poisoning risk.
Eating lettuce cooked is likely the safest bet for these groups.
Browned and yellowed leaves and dried leaves are signs of aging.
But lettuce with major damage or a slimy appearance indicates spoilage.
you might also stow it in the fridge’s crisper drawer, where humidity is regulated.
Remember, lettuce is perishable with a short shelf life.
It will usually keep in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
The amount of lactucarium you ingest will be too minimal to aid sleep and relaxation.
