Accumulation of free radicals in the body can lead to oxidative stress and cell damage, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. Because alfalfa is rich in antioxidants, it can help fight free radical damage and thus lower the risk of disease.
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Overview:
Alfalfa is part of the legume family but is also considered an herb. Although it was originally cultivated in South and Central Asia, it is grown around the world and has long been recognized for its impressive nutritional content and medicinal uses.
Overview of Benefits:
Alfalfa has been shown to help lower cholesterol and may also have benefits for blood sugar management and relieving symptoms of menopause. People also take it because it contains antioxidants, as well as nutrients like vitamin K, copper, folate, and magnesium. Alfalfa is also extremely low in calories.
Nutrients:
Alfalfa is low in calories and contains a variety of essential nutrients:
- Copper
- Folate
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, and phytoestrogens
Cholesterol:
Numerous animal studies have shown that it can lower total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol — which may decrease heart disease risk. The cholesterol-lowering effect of alfalfa is attributed to its high content of saponins, which are plant compounds known to lower cholesterol levels.
They do this by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the gut and increasing the excretion of compounds used to create new cholesterol.
Respiratory Health:
Alfalfa has been used in traditional medicine for respiratory conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-strengthening properties. It may be helpful in easing symptoms of bronchitis, the flu, and the common cold, as well as other viral and bacterial infections
Blood Clotting:
A single serving of alfalfa provides about 13% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. Vitamin K and iron promote blood cell production, which can help prevent or treat anemia, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums.