Lesser known Superfood Alfalfa is said to have amazing powers, its one of the hidden treasures of Ayurveda. For years Families in India have been consuming this magical herb for its range of benefits, they swear by its effects and cant imagine their lives without it.
Considering that its discovered by the modern and alternative medicines in recent years very ver studies have been done on it, and its effects are based on age old recommendations of generations who have benefited off it.
Supplement Facts
First lets dive into its contents, Alfalfa is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense food. One cup of alfalfa sprouts has only 8 calories but delivers 0.2 grams fat, 0.7 grams carbohydrate, 0.6 grams fibre, and 1.3 grams protein.3 In addition, alfalfa's rich soluble fibre content makes it a good food for controlling cholesterol and feeling full.
Alfalfa also contains several essential vitamins and minerals, including:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Benefits of Alfalfa
Beyond its dietary benefits, alfalfa is often used in alternative therapies to treat medical conditions and metabolic disorders. However, for the most part, the scientific evidence to support these claims is weak. Most popular of its benefits are
High Cholesterol
Alfalfa contains saponins,substances that inhibit your body's ability to digest proteins and absorb minerals.However, these anti-nutrients are not all bad. In plants, they exist to protect them from infection and from getting destroyed by insects.
Anti-nutrients can also offer health benefits. For example, animal studies have shown a direct association between increasing doses of alfalfa saponin extract and decreasing blood cholesterol levels in rats
Whether it can achieve the same effect in humans is uncertain. Alfalfa has been studied little as a potential treatment of hypercholesterolemia, further research in ongoing.
Urinary Tract Disorders
Some herbalists use alfalfa as a natural diuretic ("water pill") for treating urinary tract disorders, including renal calculi (kidney stones) and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
A 2016 study looked at which plants herbalists in Iran used to treat kidney and urinary stones. The study found that alfalfa was among 18 species herbalists relied on; however, the study did not evaluate the safety or effectiveness of the herbs.
Inflammation
As a nutrient-dense plant food, alfalfa fits the profile of an anti-inflammatory food . Some studies have reported that alfalfa suppresses the production of inflammatory compounds known as cytokin
Some alternative healthcare providers believe this effect can reduce pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Alfalfa is, in fact, one of the more popular ingredients used in herbal arthritis remedies.However, to date, these benefits remain largely unproven. With rheumatoid arthritis, the underlying cause of inflammation is autoimmune (meaning the body's immune cells attack healthy joints). Alfalfa in no way alters this action.
Research has found the opposite—there is evidence that alfalfa can trigger acute symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases. For example, some studies found that alfalfa sprouts induced lupus-like symptoms in otherwise healthy people and reactivated symptoms in those with inactive disease.
Since alfalfa seems to activate the immune system, those with autoimmune diseases should avoid alfalfa.
Menopause symptom relief
Alfalfa is high in plant compounds called phytoestrogens, which are chemically similar to the hormone estrogen.
This means that they can cause some of the same effects in the body as estrogen.
Phytoestrogens are controversial, but they may have several benefits, including easing menopausal symptoms that are caused by decreased levels of estrogen.
The effects of alfalfa on menopausal symptoms have not been extensively researched, but there is some evidence to support its use in reducing hot flashes.
However, there are also some potential risks. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you are considering using it to treat those symptoms
Antioxidant effects
Alfalfa has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine to treat conditions caused by inflammation and oxidative damage.
Indeed, alfalfa has some powerful antioxidant properties, as some+ animal studies have noted that it prevents oxidative stress damage caused by free radicals.
Specifically, alfalfa has the ability to reduce cell death and DNA damage caused by free radicals. It does this by both lowering the production of free radicals and improving the body’s ability to fight them.
However, these results have occurred in test-tube cell studies in rats or in live rats, mice, and chickens. More research is necessary to find out whether alfalfa would have the same effects in human participants.
Improved metabolic health
One traditional use of alfalfa is as an antidiabetic, or blood sugar-lowering, agent.
Several animal studies have found that alfalfa appears to improve cardiometabolic health by decreasing blood fat and blood sugar levels.
However, while these findings are promising, more studies are needed to determine whether alfalfa would have the same effects in humans.
Healthier Skin and Hair
The chlorophyll in alfalfa may help cleanse the skin.
Vitamin A in alfalfa may help treat dry skin. The nutrient may also improve complexion and skin texture. Alfalfa could also help in the maintenance and construction of skin.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that alfalfa may also promote hair health. The vitamins B1 and B6 in alfalfa may promote hair health. Here are the other nutrients in alfalfa that may benefit hair. The protein in alfalfa may promote hair growth. Including the grains, seeds, and sprouts of alfalfa in your diet may provide you with adequate protein needed for healthy hair. Alfalfa contains vitamins B1, B6, and C that may promote hair health. Vitamin C, especially, fights free radical damage and may help slow down the associated hair loss . The nutrient may also help in improving the circulation of blood in the scalp and hair follicles. The silica in alfalfa may slow down the process of hair loss. It may also help in the prevention of baldness.