28 Amazing Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts
Alfalfa sprouts ( Medicago Sativa) are the germinated seedlings of the alfalfa plant.
Alfalfa leaves are bitter, but the young seedlings have a milder taste.
Alfalfa is considered a herb and is used for medicinal properties.
They originated in South and Central Asia, but are now grown in many regions of the world.
The term “Alfalfa” comes from the Arabic phrase “al-fac-facah” which means “Father of all foods”.
They are widely popular in Asian cuisines and added to salads, soups, sandwiches, and as topping for certain dishes.
Due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, and other compounds, alfalfa sprouts provide many health and beauty benefits.
Health Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts
Some major health benefits of alfalfa sprouts are as follows.
(1) Protection From Cancer(s)
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients, etc in alfalfa sprouts protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage.
This reduces the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, intestinal cancer, abdominal cancer, and lung cancer to name a few.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that steal electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Phytoestrogens in alfalfa sprouts also help as they hinder the growth of new blood cells responsible for the rise of cancerous cells.
(2) Treats Menopause & Menstruation Irregularities
Vitamin K and phytoestrogens in alfalfa sprouts help in treating menstruation and menopause irregularities.
Phytoestrogens help in balancing estrogen levels to minimize hormone-related symptoms of menopause like mood swings.
And, the anti-clotting properties of vitamin K helps in controlling excessive bleeding during menstruation.
(3) Promotes Weight Loss
Alfalfa sprouts promote weight loss because of their low caloric value of 23 calories per 100 grams.
It is a wonderful snack that provides us energy and nourishment without much calorie overload.
Dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts control overeating ( a major cause of obesity) as they provide stomach satiety and controls the urge to eat again and again.
Nutrients like vitamins and minerals in alfalfa sprouts help with weight management by enhancing metabolism and improving digestion.
Add alfalfa sprouts to your salad bowl, and enjoy the weight loss benefit.
Source-Pixabay.com(4) Regulates Blood Sugar Level
Alfalfa sprouts help in managing diabetes as it has a low glycemic index of 15, and releases sugar into the bloodstream at a slow pace.
This prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar levels and keeps our blood glucose under control.
Dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts slow down the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream and help in managing diabetes.
Despite this benefit, eat alfalfa sprouts in moderation as excessive consumption may drop blood sugar below healthy levels, and cause excessive hunger, excessive sweating, shakiness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, confusion, irritability, and moodiness.
If you take diabetic medication, add alfalfa sprouts to your diet only after consulting with your doctor to ensure there’s no food-drug intolerance risk.
Stick with the doctor’s recommendation, and don’t go overboard.
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(5) Cholesterol Management
Alfalfa sprouts help in managing cholesterol levels and improve our cardiovascular health.
Dietary fibers and antioxidants in alfalfa sprouts reduce LDL cholesterol and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that leads to hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque and fat accumulation within the arterial walls and is a leading cause of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
(6) Controls High Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common health condition that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.
Alfalfa sprouts help in controlling high blood pressure as they contain potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes our blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
Eat alfalfa sprouts in moderation as too much alfalfa sprouts may drop our blood pressure below the normal levels, and cause dizziness, fainting, nausea, dehydration, poor concentration, breathing difficulties, vision problems, and blood in urine, etc.
If you are on blood pressure medication, consult your doctor before adding alfalfa sprouts to your routine to avoid food-drug interference risk.
(7) Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Alfalfa sprouts are good for our heart health and promote cardiovascular health.
Vitamin C, vitamin K and other relevant compounds like flavonoids, etc in alfalfa sprouts protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers and antioxidants in alfalfa sprouts improve our cardiovascular health by reducing LDL cholesterol.
Potassium in alfalfa sprouts provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure, a common cause of cardiovascular issues.
Other nutrients like zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, and other B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts also play an effective role in improving our cardiovascular health.
(8) Helps In Treating Blood Disorders
Alfalfa sprouts improve blood circulation and help in treating blood disorders such as iron-induced anemia.
Iron-induced anemia is a blood disorder caused by iron deficiency and gives rise to symptoms like fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, swelling of tongue and mouth, etc.
Alfalfa sprouts help in the prevention and treatment of iron-induced anemia as they contain iron, a vital mineral that increases the production of red blood cells that carry oxygenated blood to cells and tissues of the body, and keep anemia at bay.
Vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts increases iron absorption and benefits our health.
Potassium relaxes our blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
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(9) Boost Immunity
Alfalfa sprouts strengthen our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that prevents and treats various microbial infections, diseases, injuries, and infections.
Vitamin C, vitamin K and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in alfalfa sprouts protect our immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage and boost immunity.
Vitamin C further strengthens immunity by enhancing the production of white blood cells.
By making our immune system stronger, it reduces the risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc.
Vitamin K in alfalfa sprouts helps with blood clotting for quick healing of wounds and injuries.
The antimicrobial properties of alfalfa sprouts protect us from various bacterial, viral, and, fungal infections.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, and B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts also play an important role in making our immune system better.
(10) Improves Digestive Health
Alfalfa sprouts improve digestive health as antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds protect our digestive system from free radical damage and reduce the risk of colon cancer, rectal cancer, abdominal cancer, intestinal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.
Dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts improve bowel movement and relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Zinc, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts also contribute to a healthy digestive system.
(11) Promotes Growth And Repair
The protein present in the alfalfa sprouts promotes the growth of new cells and tissues, and repairs damaged cells and tissues.
Vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts protects the cells from free radical damage and also enhances collagen production.
Collagen is an essential amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and is found in connective tissues such as bones, cartilages, muscles, tendons, and blood vessels, etc.
(12) Heals Wounds Quickly
Vitamin K in alfalfa sprouts promotes blood clotting and helps with the quick healing of wounds and injuries.
The antimicrobial properties of alfalfa sprouts protect the wound from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts enhances collagen production and accelerates wound healing.
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(13) Make Our Bones And Teeth Stronger
Alfalfa sprouts make our bones and teeth stronger.
Calcium in alfalfa sprouts is a vital mineral needed for the growth and development of bones and reduces the risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
Potassium in alfalfa sprouts neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from bones, and improves bone density.
They also contain manganese that increases calcium absorption and improves the bone density of the spinal column.
Vitamin C present in alfalfa sprouts reduces pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.
Zinc, folate, and phosphorus, etc in alfalfa sprouts also contribute to bone health.
(14) Enhance Metabolism
Essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals enhance our metabolism and improve our body’s ability to digest food efficiently.
A healthy metabolism promotes the efficient burning of calories and helps with weight loss.
B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts stimulate enzymatic reactions.
(15) Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Anti-inflammatory compounds like vitamin C and dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts reduce pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma and bronchial asthma, etc.
(16) Good For Neurological Health
Alfalfa sprouts are good for the brain and improve our neurological health because of their rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in alfalfa sprouts protect our brain cells or neurons from free radical damage.
By doing so, it reduces the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins also contribute to neurological health as they improve cognitive functions such as sharper memory, better focus, reduced confusion, etc.
Beauty Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts For Skin
Following are the major beauty benefits of alfalfa sprouts for the skin.
(1) Keeps Premature Ageing At Bay
Alfalfa sprouts improve our skin health as vitamin C and other relevant compounds protect our skin cells from free radical damage.
This reduces the risk of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, skin blemishes, and other signs of premature aging.
Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen, an essential amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents skin sagging and wrinkles.
Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules and doing so cause oxidative damage to them.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts also contribute to healthy skin.
(2) Treats skin Pigmentation
Alfalfa sprouts are good for skin and help in treating skin pigmentation.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in alfalfa sprouts protect our skin from free radical damage and brings out the natural glow of the skin.
Vitamin C enhances collagen production and improves skin smoothness.
Other nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts improve skin health and make our skin soft, supple, and radiant.
(3) Good For Skin Detoxification
Alfalfa sprouts help with skin detoxification as vitamin C and dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts remove toxins and other unwanted substances from our system.
Other nutrients like vitamin K, iron, and B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts also contribute to skin detoxification.
By helping with skin detoxification, alfalfa sprouts reduce the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
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(4) Helps In Treating Skin Rashes And Eczema
Alfalfa sprouts improve our skin health and help in treating skin problems like skin rashes and eczema.
Vitamins and minerals in alfalfa sprouts provide nourishment to the skin and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants in alfalfa sprouts protect our skin cells from free radical damage and keep fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging at bay.
Dietary fibers eliminate toxins and reduce the risk of skin problems like acne, pimples, skin rashes, and eczema.
Other nutrients like vitamin B complex, iron, and zinc, etc, also contribute to keeping our skin healthier.
(5) Aids In Acne Treatment
Alfalfa sprouts help in treating acne, a common skin problem that affects millions around the world and mainly occurs due to the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances in our skin pores.
Dietary fibers and vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances.
When there are fewer toxins in our body, they are less likely to accumulate in skin pores and reduces the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts control the secretion of excessive oil from glands of the skin and prevent acne from worsening.
(6) Protects from Harmful UV Rays
UVB rays of the sun interact with cholesterol to produce vitamin D.
However, prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays may damage our skin and give rise to wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis.
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in alfalfa sprouts protect our skin from harmful UV rays of the skin and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
The anti-inflammatory properties of alfalfa sprouts reduce the pain and inflammation of sunburn.
(7) Maintains Skin Health
Alfalfa sprouts maintain our skin health as nutrients like vitamins and minerals provide nourishment to our skin, and keep it healthy.
Antioxidants like vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts protect our skin cells from free radical damage and keep signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, etc at bay.
Dietary fibers help with skin detoxification and help in treating skin problems like acne and pimples.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, and B vitamins also contribute to healthier skin.
Beauty Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts For Hair
Some major beauty benefits of alfalfa sprouts for hair are as follows.
(1) Good For Hair Growth
Alfalfa sprouts promote hair growth because of their rich nutritious profile.
Vitamins and minerals in alfalfa sprouts nourish our hair follicles and scalp and encourage the growth of new hair.
Antioxidants like vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts protect our hair from free radical damage and reduce premature greying of hair, split end, hair dryness.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, folate, potassium and B vitamins also improve scalp health and promote hair growth.
(2) Reduces Hair Loss
Vitamins and minerals in alfalfa sprouts nourish our hair follicles and scalp.
This improves our scalp health and makes our hair strong and lustrous.
Antioxidants like vitamin C in alfalfa sprouts protect our hair from free radical damage.
Other nutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, folate, and B vitamins also help.
(3) Strong And Lustrous Hair
Alfalfa sprouts make our hair strong and lustrous because of the abundance of essential nutrients in them.
Nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, folate and B vitamins in alfalfa sprouts nourish our hair follicles and scalp.
They strengthen our hair and add natural shine to our hair.
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(4) Treats Scalp Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions around the world and mainly occurs due to the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances in our skin pores.
They can also breakout on the scalp, and are known as scalp acne.
Vitamin C and dietary fibers in alfalfa sprouts remove toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our skin pores.
When there are fewer toxins, they don’t accumulate in the pores of our skin and scalp and reduces the risk of acne and scalp acne.
Dietary fibers regulate the secretion of excess oil from the skin gland and prevent the worsening of acne and scalp acne.
(5) Good For Treating Dandruff
Alfalfa sprouts improve our scalp health and help in treating dandruff.
Nutrients in alfalfa sprouts provide nourishment to the scalp and improve scalp health.
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds in alfalfa sprouts protect the hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
The antimicrobial properties of alfalfa sprouts protect the scalp from bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purpose only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
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