Alfalfa is mainly used to feed cattle and is a herb that involves some people in their diet. It is considered both a herb and a legumes that come from South and Central Asia. Dry leaves can be used to create a supplementary form, but more often is to eat the sprouted seeds as Alfalfa sprouts. Since Alfalfa is sold as a herb, there is not necessarily a formal nutritional label to determine all the advantages it has. Alfalfa sprouts are usually used as a topper for salads and in sandwiches.
A cup of Alfalfa sprout has only 8 calories, 1 gram of protein and a gram of carbohydrates. Alfalfa sprouts also contain vitamin C, vitamin K, riboflavin, thiamine, magnesium, iron, copper and magnesium. It also has food connections such as phytosterols, phytoestrogens, saponins, cumarines, flavonoids and alkaloids.
Alfalfa has health benefits. The most examined advantage is the ability to lower cholesterol levels. It has been shown that it lowers cholesterol level cholesterol levels, lowers a good HDL cholesterol and the lower triglycerides. Saponins are responsible for cholesterol lowering. Alfalfa was also used to improve cardiometabolic health. This is because it can lower the blood grease and blood sugar levels.
Ayurvedic medicine uses Alfalfa for its antioxidant effects. It helps to treat conditions by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. Alfalfa also has phytoestrogens that act like the hormone estrogen in the body. Alfalfa can help to calm some of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Although not scientifically proven, some people use Alfalfa for his diuretic effects to treat arthritis, get rid of kidney stones and increase breast milk production.
With Alfalfa sprouts, potential precautions for food safety can be present. Due to the way they are packed, Alfalfa sprouts may contain food pathogenic such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. The FDA has not approved Alfalfa preparations, so these should be taken with precautionary measures. People with autoimmune diseases and pregnant women should be careful when taking Alfalfa nutritional supplements. People who take blood thinners should also be careful when taking Alfalfa nutritional supplements, since vitamin K can affect the effectiveness of these medication.
It can be healthy to eat raw food, but always carefully with contamination. Alfalfa can be part of a vegetable diet. Not everyone likes their taste and not every business carries it. Herbs have researched theories behind them and not researched. Foods without labels and in the product passage are completely, nutritious and clean. Not every type is for every person, but Alfalfa sprouts could eat one from time to time.
Progress in Alfalfa’s basic biology (Medicago Sativa L.): A comprehensive overview | Horticultural research | Oxford Academic
Alfalfa as a nutritional and functional food resource: applications and health benefits – Sciences
Edible plant sprouts: health advantages, trends and opportunities for new explorations – PMC
Adaptability, feed yield and nutritional quality of Alfalfa genotypes (Medicago sativa)
Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough has a fitness studio in Oceanide Ca called Fit of every body. She received her doctorate in health and human performance, MA in Physical Education & Health Science, and is a NASM master and trainer. She is also a professional natural bodybuilder, fitness model, wellness coach and Afaa Group training Instructor. She also has 6 books on Amazon.