Alfalfa leaf benefits are largely from its antioxidant properties.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)is a perennial plant (meaning it regrows every year).
It belongs to theFabaceaefamily that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat various health conditions.
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Alfalfa is high in vitamins, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.
People eat alfalfa fresh in the form ofsprouts.
It has a sweet, bitter, grassy flavor.
It is also available as a supplement.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
In plants, they exist to protect them from infection and from getting destroyed by insects.
Anti-nutrients can also offer health benefits.
Whether it can achieve the same effect in humans is uncertain.
As such, alfalfa may be supportive fordiabetesorprediabetes.
There has been some evidence of this in animal studies.
Treatment groups were given an extract of alfalfa.
Therefore, it is unclear whether it can achieve the same benefits in humans.
Further research is needed.
Free radicals trigger oxidative stress, which can increase disease and aging in our cells.
Antioxidants, like those found in alfalfa, help prevent free radicals from harming the body’s cells.
May Relieve Menopausal Symptoms
Alfalfa contains a group of molecules calledisoflavones.
These are a bang out ofphytoestrogen, a plant-based hormone that mimics the action of the hormoneestrogen.
The participants took the extracts of these plants for three months.
Another study looked at the effects of botanical supplements on hormonal symptoms in 788 participants with breast cancer.
Participants answered a survey about their symptoms.
Those who used alfalfa were less likely to report disturbed sleep than those who did not use alfalfa.
However, this was an exploratory study and did not include controls or comparisons.
Alfalfa was the most commonly used herb, followed by black seed and fenugreek.
Alfalfa Nutrition Facts
Alfalfa is a low-calorie, nutrient-dense food.
These side effects may be common or severe.
Who Should Not Take Alfalfa?
Alfalfa sprouts also contain an amino acid calledL-canavaninethat can trigger inflammation in people with certain autoimmune diseases, particularlylupus.
As a result, eating alfalfa or taking it as a supplement can triggeracute lupus symptoms.
Interactions With Drugs and Herbs
Alfalfa supplements may interact with certain medications.
As a general rule, higher doses tend to increase the potential for drug interactions.
Alfalfa supplements are at high risk of interacting withanticoagulants(blood thinners) likewarfarin.
Food Sources
you could purchase fresh alfalfa sprouts in many grocery stores.
Better yet, cook the sprouts rather than eating them raw.
The same applies to alfalfa juice.
Cooking will alter the flavor and texture but retain some nutritional value.
Alternatively, purchase alfalfa seeds online or at a health food store and grow fresh alfalfa at home.
The alfalfa plant grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall.
Supplements
Alfalfa supplements are widely available in vitamin shops and many health food stores.
It is more difficult to assess the quality of the traditional Chinese remedy Mu Xu.
Summary
Alfalfa is a plant that is high in vitamins and minerals.
People commonly eat it as a sprouted green.
Some people take alfalfa in supplement form, too.
In addition, alfalfa can interact with many medications, hormones, herbs, and supplements.
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