By: Hettie Basil Lighttower

Bitter and butter are better. However, bitter butter is not better. Let be explain…..
There is a reason to eat your salad before your main meal. Did you know that? Many lettuces or lettuce type components have a bitter quality to them. Leaf lettuce, bib lettuce, endive, kale and others. The bitter quality in these foods improve digestion!
(side note) computer is highlighting that “lettuces” is spelled wrong. What is the plural for lettuce? Let me see….. Ok, my research is showing that ‘lettuce is not typically countable’ and the plural can be either lettuce or lettuces’. It also says that ‘if lettuces is being used, it is most likely for counting types of lettuce.’ And that is what I want to do…… count types of lettuce(s). So, I am going to stick with lettuces. I like it. Just thought I would share that little side journey with you.
They do this by stimulating the production of enzymes and stomach acids and enhance nutrient absorption. Foods such as these different lettuces lower risks of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and even heart disease. It is amazing that these leafy greens are not just for low calories and for getting more vitamins and minerals in ya; but for literally jump starting your system for better digestion!
Among some of our top favorite bitters(short for bitter foods) are coffee, some teas, citrus, and dark chocolate. If you are a forager and like to get naturally growing greens outdoors some of the best bitters would be dandelion leaves, or chickory leaves or burdock and yellow dock. Any of these can be eaten cooked or raw. Raw is super bitter! Now let’s move along to the other half of our opening statement…..butter!
Ahhhh…. The big controversy over butter or I can’t believe it’s not butter. For decades we have veered away from real butter because of the risk of high cholesterol and heart health. But in doing so we have actually caused other problems in our bodies instead. Check this out….
Butter contains a natural component called butyrate. Butyrate is a molecule( a short chain fatty acid) that functions in many ways. Main benefits are that it strengthens gut health, reduces the risk of colon cancer, metabolic disease and even cognitive loss. This fatty acid feeds the good gut bacteria.
It is actually found in other foods as well such as oats, potatoes, green bananas and lentils. It is also found in some cheeses. Some scientists say it is critical for gut, brain and immune health! And technically the chemical make up of these foods mentioned is what creates the butyrate. You see when these foods are being digested, it is the good gut bacteria that break down these foods as they do all our foods; but these foods in particular have the perfect metabolic reaction to the work the bacteria are doing and then the butyrate is the result of the process. At this point when the butyrate is “made” it becomes food for the bacteria! And when these bacteria are happy and fed well, they keep the gut walls healthy.
So, if you are a Paula Dean fan and want to eat deep-fried butter go for it! Make sure your gall bladder is ready and has a heads up!
The thing about butter is that when exposed to oxygen it can become bitter….. which is not better. It then is called rancid. So make sure your butter is kept in the refrigerator or at least in an air tight container if you like it soft for your peanut and butter sandwich! Yum.
Your butter should not be exposed to heat, light or air. And why is it of any concern if your butter is bitter aka rancid? Well, it becomes a breeding ground for bad bacteria and even food poisoning. And not only that, in this state it destroys vitamin C that you may have needed for your immune system.
While soft butter is most desired, it is not good for it to sit out and go bad. Try to just cut off a piece in expectation of what you may need, let it set and soften while being sealed in plastic or a container.
Good luck with your bitters and butters and may you have a better butter/bitter gut health!
As always feel free to send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. I will include them in the next available column as per their arrival relative to the publication deadline of Tuesday by 12 p.m. of the same week. If you wish to be anonymous let me know. Kindness is contagious~*