Alfalfa – Secrets revealed of this herb

Used primarily to feed livestock, alfalfa is a herb some people incorporate into their diet. It is considered both a herb and legume originating from South and Central Asia. Dried leaves can be used to make a supplement form, but more common is to eat the sprouted seeds as alfalfa sprouts. Because alfalfa is sold as a herb, there isn’t necessarily a formal nutrition label to identify all the benefits it has. Alfalfa sprouts are commonly used as a topper for salads and in sandwiches.

One cup of alfalfa sprouts has only 8 calories, 1 gram of protein, and one gram of carbs. Alfalfa sprouts also contain vitamin C, vitamin K, riboflavin, thiamine, magnesium, iron, copper, and magnesium. It also has nutritional plant compounds including phytosterols, phytoestrogens, saponins, coumarins, flavonoids, and alkaloids.

Alfalfa does have health benefits. The most studied benefit is its ability to lower cholesterol. It has been shown to lower cholesterol bad LDL cholesterol, raise good HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. Saponins are responsible for the cholesterol lowering effect. Alfalfa has also been used to help improve cardiometabolic health. This is because it can lower blood fat and blood sugar levels.

Ayurvedic medicine uses alfalfa for its antioxidant effects. It helps treat conditions by lowering inflammation and oxidative damage. Alfalfa also has phytoestrogens which act like the hormone estrogen in the body. Alfalfa can help sooth some of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Although not scientifically proven, some people use alfalfa for its diuretic effects, to treat arthritis, get rid of kidney stones, and to increase breast milk production.

There can be potential food safety precautions to consider with alfalfa sprouts. Because of the way they’re packed, alfalfa sprouts can potentially contain foodborne pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. The FDA has not approved alfalfa supplements so these should be taken with precaution. People with autoimmune disorders and pregnant women should be careful about taking alfalfa supplements. People who take blood thinners should also be careful about taking alfalfa supplements because vitamin K can interfere with the effectiveness of these medications.

It can be healthy to eat raw foods but always be careful of contamination. Alfalfa can be part of a plant-based diet. Not everyone likes their taste and not every store carries it. Herbs have researched and unresearched theories behind them. Foods without labels and in the produce aisle are whole, nutritious, and clean. Not every type is for every person, but alfalfa sprouts might be one to eat every now and then.

Advances in basic biology of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.): a comprehensive overview | Horticulture Research | Oxford Academic

Alfalfa as a nutritional and functional food resource: Applications and health benefits – ScienceDirect

Edible Plant Sprouts: Health Benefits, Trends, and Opportunities for Novel Exploration – PMC

Adaptability, forage yield and nutritional quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) genotypes

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