The leaves, stems, seeds and
shoots of the alfalfa plant have been used historically for their many
health-enhancing properties. The leaves of adult alfalfa plants are not
generally palatable; their coarse texture makes them unsuitable for use in
food. However, alfalfa sprouts provide all of alfalfa's medicinal properties
and health benefits, and they are easy to incorporate into a healthy diet.
If you
are interested in the health benefits of alfalfa sprouts, consider integrating
them into everyday foods such as salads, wraps and sandwiches. Although alfalfa
sprouts may be useful for treating several medical conditions, note that there
is insufficient evidence to provide their efficacy. Consult your health care
provider before making any radical changes to your diet or taking any
nutritional supplement.
Dietary Protein
Alfalfa
sprouts are a surprisingly potent source of dietary protein. Raw-foodists
frequently turn to alfalfa sprouts as a tasty, vegan, uncooked alternative to
conventional protein sources. Each serving of alfalfa sprout contains a full
three grams of protein, making it one of the world's most reliable raw, vegan
sources of this critical macronutrient.
Digestive Support
If you
suffer from digestive conditions such as diverticular disease or chronic
constipation, alfalfa sprouts may help to ease some of your symptoms. A serving
of alfalfa sprouts contains roughly one gram of fiber, which is three percent
of an average adult's daily need. Try including alfalfa sprouts in your daily
diet to improve your digestive regularity.
Weight Loss
If you
are trying to lose weight, alfalfa sprouts may be a healthy, flavorful
alternative to stimulant diet pills. With only 8 calories per 33-gram serving,
alfalfa sprouts are an ideal low-calorie condiment. Alfalfa sprouts contain no
notable sugar, fat, saturated fat or cholesterol. Because this crunchy food is
loaded with fiber and protein, it can help to prolong feelings of fullness
after a large meal.
Cholesterol Reduction
Compounds
in alfalfa sprout may help to reduce both total cholesterol and low-density
lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol, without affecting
high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol levels.
Although preliminary studies are promising, no large-scale clinical trials have
evaluated these findings. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol,
consult your health care provider about the benefits of alfalfa sprouts as part
of a low-fat, heart-healthy diet.
Atherosclerosis Treatment
In
addition to reducing total and LDL cholesterol, alfalfa sprouts may help to
prevent and treat atherosclerosis, or cholesterol plaques in the heart
arteries. This serious cardiovascular disease can lead to fatal complications,
so it is important to abide by your health care provider's treatment
recommendations. In addition to dietary modifications and the potential use of
medication, your health care provider may recommend eating alfalfa sprouts and
other heart-friendly foods.
Diabetes Support
Diabetic
animals experience a slight but notable decline in blood-glucose levels after
eating alfalfa sprouts, according to the National Institutes of Health. Human
studies have not replicated these findings, but preliminary evidence suggests
that alfalfa sprouts can act as a healthy complementary treatment for type 2
diabetes. Because it contains no sugar and has a glycemic load of 0, alfalfa
sprout is a diabetes-friendly snack associated with no serious health risks to
people with hyperglycemia.
B Vitamins
Raw-foodists
may turn to alfalfa sprouts in lieu of processed sources of B-vitamins.
B-vitamins, which are water-soluble, are essential for neurological health and
energy production, and may be used as alternative treatments for medical
conditions including depression and chronic fatigue. Alfalfa sprouts are
regarded as a good source of folate, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, niacin and
thiamin. Contrary to popular misconceptions, no sprouts contain vitamin B12.
Blood Health
Alfalfa
sprouts are one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin K found in nature.
Vitamin K is essential for normal platelet function; it helps to prevent
excessive bleeding and bruising. Each serving of alfalfa sprouts will provide
nearly one-eighth of your daily requirement. Consult your health care provider
before eating alfalfa sprouts if you take anticoagulants (blood-thinners) such
as warfarin; the plant's vitamin K content may compromise the effectiveness of
the drug.
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