DermNet® - Lettuce (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to eat lettuce that is turning pink? ›

The pink to reddish-brown pigments that develop on pieces of lettuce or the tips of lettuce occur when the plant is stressed, but the pigments, known as anthocyanins, don't pose a health risk. “Other than being unsightly, they are edible,” says the professor.

In some patients lettuce produces abdominal distension, which is not related to gas, but rather to an uncontrolled reaction of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm. Hence, learning to control the abdominal muscles may prevent distension with no need of dietary restrictions.

Depending on the type of produce, lettuce can generally be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days when properly washed or prepared. While most varieties of lettuce can usually last between 7–10 days in the fridge, it's best to use freshly chopped or shredded lettuce quickly, within about 2–3 days.

The rusty discoloration may be unsightly, but it doesn't make the lettuce unsafe to eat, Sabatini said. You can just chop it off if it bothers you. “As long as your lettuce is still crisp and the rest of the leaves appear vibrant and firm, it's safe to eat the pink parts,” she explained.

Lettuce with russet spotting is completely safe to eat. No matter how strange it may look, this discoloration is purely a cosmetic flaw. As long as there are no other warning signs with your lettuce (like sliminess or foul odors) you can go ahead and eat it.

When romaine lettuce spoils, the head feels soft to the touch. Peeling away outer leaves might reveal a fresh core, but slimy leaves are usually a bad sign. Mushy romaine lettuce with an unpleasant odor should always be thrown away.

The reason being is that when you eat vegetables the bacteria in your digestive track starts to break them down. When this happens there can be a release of hydrogen sulfide which has been known to cause sickness in some individuals.

The most likely cause of needing to poop right after eating is the gastrocolic reflex. This reflex is a normal involuntary reaction to food entering the stomach. It does not mean food is passing straight through the body. It can take 1–2 days before food finishes its journey through a person's digestive tract.

Veggies like mushrooms, baby spinach, bean sprouts, lettuce, and peas can be good for boosting your gut health, specifically. These vegetables are great for your gut because of their fiber or water contents, or because they contain plant compounds called polyphenols.

"Aluminum does not, on its own, have any specific synergies with lettuce. If it's protective it's either protecting it from drying out or it has just the right permeability to allow the lettuce to breathe without drying it out (aluminum foil IS permeable)," says Nestrud.

How do restaurants keep lettuce crisp? ›

That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge. Removing the air does help prevent oxidation, which is what causes lettuce to turn brown but has nothing to do with lettuce staying crisp.

Look for brown or black leaves that indicate rotting.

Discolored lettuce often feels slimy and smells bad as well. Small brown spots usually aren't harmful if you eat them. You can also cut around them if the rest of the lettuce leaf is still healthy.

Q: Are some types of lettuce safer than others? A: Because contamination can happen anywhere from farm to table, no single type of leafy green is risk-free. But hydroponic lettuces (which are greenhouse-grown) are less likely to be contaminated by bacteria from animal droppings.

When it comes to salad leaves, common signs of spoilage include wilting, sliminess, foul odor, or change of color, says Havern. "You should also check the bottom of the bag, because spoilage may occur at the bottom of the bag first," says Worobo.

Look for brown or black leaves that indicate rotting.

When the dark spots appear on multiple leaves in place of these colors, your lettuce is on its way out. Discolored lettuce often feels slimy and smells bad as well.

Lettuce can turn pink. The discoloration could be caused by several factors, including exposure to ethylene gas emitted by produce stored with the greens, fluctuations in temperature or exposure to too much oxygen. But, the lettuce is still entirely edible.

The symptoms

The CDC says that infection varies for each person, but common symptoms include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Some patients may develop a fever of less than 101 degrees. "Most people get better within five to seven days," says the CDC.

As lettuce lasts between seven to 10 days from purchase (via Food Network), a good rule of thumb would be to not eat lettuce that is three to four days past the "Best By" date printed on the packaging.