{"id":12928,"date":"2020-04-09T07:14:11","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T07:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=12928"},"modified":"2021-07-05T15:40:58","modified_gmt":"2021-07-05T15:40:58","slug":"14-health-benefits-of-alfalfa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-health-benefits-of-alfalfa\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Health Benefits of Alfalfa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alfalfa is a leguminous plant, Medicago sativa, of Europe and Asia, having compound leaves with three leaflets and clusters of small purplish flowers. It is widely cultivated as an important forage crop around the world and as a nitrogen fixer and used as a commercial source of chlorophyll. It is also called Lucerne.  It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfalfa is typically consumed by humans as an herbal supplement or in the form of alfalfa sprouts. Because the leaves or seeds are sold as herbal supplements and not foods, there is no standard nutrition information available. However, they are typically high in vitamin K and also contain many other nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, manganese and folate. Alfalfa sprouts contain the same nutrients and are also very low in calories.  Alfalfa is rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Copper, Manganese, Folate, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Magnesium and Iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.      <\/strong>Alfalfa May Help Lower Cholesterol<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alfalfa’s cholesterol-lowering ability is its best studied health benefit to date. Numerous studies in monkeys, rabbits and rats have shown that it can lower blood cholesterol levels. A few small studies have also confirmed this effect in humans. One study of 15 people found that on average, eating 40 grams of alfalfa seeds 3 times per day decreased total cholesterol by 17% and “bad” LDL cholesterol by 18% after 8 weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another small study of only 3 volunteers also found that 160 grams of alfalfa seeds per day could decrease total blood cholesterol levels. This effect is attributed to its high content of saponins, which are plant compounds known to lower cholesterol<\/a> levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They do this by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the gut and increasing the excretion of compounds used to create new cholesterol. The human studies done so far are too small to be conclusive, but they show promise for alfalfa as a treatment for high cholesterol.
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2.      Alfalfa May Help Lower Blood Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since Alfalfa can lower down cholesterol, it is undoubtedly that it can also lower down the blood pressure<\/a>.\u00a0 This is because cholesterol is one of the main factors that could trigger up the blood pressure of a person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cholesterol is one of the important tests being monitored together with the level triglycerides and low density lipoproteins when a person has a high blood pressure issue.  Alfalfa contains Vitamin C.  High doses of vitamin C with an average of 500 mg per day may produce small reductions of blood pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamin C may act as a diuretic, removing excess fluid from your body. This may help lower the pressure within your blood vessels.  Alfalfa contains Folate also known as Folic Acid.  A new study shows that younger women who got at least 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day from their diet or supplements had a 46% lower risk of developing high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.      Alfalfa Act as Diuretics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diuretics <\/strong>are also called water pills. These are medications designed to increase the amount of water <\/a>and salt expelled from the body as urine. They are often prescribed to help treat high blood pressure, but they’re used for other conditions as well. Diuretics are used for the removal of excess water, salts, poisons, and accumulated metabolic products, such as urea from the body. Removal of excess water and other metabolic wastes from the body is beneficial to people with high blood pressure, heart failure, swollen tissues, and kidney disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from alfalfa, there are other natural diuretics available such as Nigella sativa<\/em> which reduces sodium and potassium levels with increased urine output; Hibiscus sabdariffa<\/em> plant as a natural diuretic but prevents the body from getting rid of potassium; alcohol that works by increasing urine output; Dandelion common wildflower used for detoxification; Ginger also with detoxifying quality; and Parsley used as a home remedy diuretic for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.      Alfalfa Helps in Breast Milk Production<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Breastfeeding mothers have been using alfalfa to support lactation for ages. Alfalfa may contain phytoestrogens or plant-components that resemble estrogens and can attach to their receptors, and is anecdotally thought to increase milk supply. Alfalfa does enter the breast milk and can cause diarrhea for both mom and baby. As food, the best way to benefit from alfalfa is by adding it to your diet naturally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfalfa sprouts and seeds taste similar to peas, and you can add them to salads, soups, and other foods. As a Tea<\/a>, unlike the sprouts, the alfalfa leaf is bitter, so it is usually dried and prepared as a tea. To make alfalfa tea, use one or two teaspoons of dried alfalfa leaves per cup (8 oz) of boiling water. How often you drink the tea will depend on the advice of a certified lactation consultant or doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.      Alfalfa Helps in Treating Arthritis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people use alfalfa in the treatment of osteoarthritis <\/a>and rheumatoid arthritis.\u00a0 Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage throughout your body. The joint damage that RA causes usually happens on both sides of the body. So, if a joint is affected in one of your arms or legs, the same joint in the other arm or leg will probably be affected, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. Since alfalfa may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it is the belief that alfalfa can reduce inflammation of these conditions and help the body maintain a good pH but there are no known studies to support this claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.      Alfalfa May Help in Diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since it is known that alfalfa is rich in fiber, eating it may help to control blood sugar levels. Fiber is the indigestible part of a carbohydrate <\/a>that is slowly released into the bloodstream, the reason why foods high in fiber cause a slower blood sugar rise. One of the studies conducted in 2015 tested the effects of alfalfa supplementation in diabetes-induced rats for 21 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers found that, at the end of the experiment, the ingestion of alfalfa extract significantly reduced glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (bad cholesterol) in the diabetic rats, while also enhancing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (good cholesterol). Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) liver enzyme levels were also reduced in blood. While this might sound promising, unfortunately, there are no human studies to date and so we cannot yet determine if alfalfa supplementation is useful in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.      <\/strong>Alfalfa May Help in Asthma Attack Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Asthma<\/a> attack is a condition in which a person\u2019s inner lining of the airways become inflamed causing it to swell and become narrower. They also produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe and makes the airways more sensitive. During asthma attacks, the Inflammatory cells infiltrate the lungs and release mediators that augment the inflammatory response in the epithelium, creating a cycle of chronic inflammation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process causes bronchoconstriction and epithelial damage, and it can result in remodeling of the airway.  How alfalfa helps this problem is by helping you control the inflammation in the body. Less inflammation equals less constriction, which results in a smaller asthmatic effect. Getting more air to pass through the airway is of paramount importance for anyone having an asthmatic attack. Supplementing with alfalfa can help reduce the effects of asthma and help with better control over inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.      Alfalfa May Help Reconstruct Damage Liver<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The liver <\/a>is the largest solid organ and the largest gland in the human body. It helps detox chemicals and also helps metabolize drugs. As it metabolizes these chemicals, it secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines which helps aid digestion and absorb fat-soluble Vitamins. Our liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions. The liver is truly a detox plant in our body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being such an important organ in the body, it is often neglected and not taken care of. The antioxidants in alfalfa have been shown to help treat liver damage, combined with its diuretic effect which helps control water retention and pass toxins more quickly. Being an antioxidant-rich food with phytoestrogen, alfalfa also helps control reduction-oxidation (redox) state which can lead to various liver disorders. Taking in Alfalfa into a regular meal will enhance the detoxifying property of the liver of a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.      Alfalfa May Help with Insomnia and Sleep Disorders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We know how a sleep disorder can ruin the day and even a week.\u00a0 Having chronic sleep disorder can lead to brain<\/a> fog (or lack of focus and low memory), low energy (lethargic condition due to fatigue), general weakness, and dullness (lack of concentration). By drinking Alfalfa tea can help you fight these disorders. The soothing and tranquilizing effects of alfalfa have been known to also have a positive effect on sleep disorders and insomnia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfalfa calms down the digestive system and helps soothe the body of most irritations. Just as the effect of medicinal tranquilizer, Alfalfa may help in the treatment of anxiety, fear, tension, agitation, and disturbances of the mind, specifically to reduce states of anxiety and tension. Taking Alfalfa will normalize the bodily functions of all the vital organs making the person feel comfortable and relax.  And in doing so, the individual will find it’s easy to catch a good, deep, and recharging sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10.  <\/strong>Alfalfa Helps in Kidney Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Alfalfa has a strong diuretic property.\u00a0 Diuretic is any substance that promotes diuresis, which is the increased production of urine<\/a>.\u00a0 All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way. It is very important to maintain the normal functioning of the kidney. This is so because the kidney is the organ that filters the blood. And as the kidney filters the blood, it removes the body wastes, controls the body\u2019s fluid balance, and keeps the right levels of electrolytes. Salt, water, and minerals are adjusted, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the normal functioning of the kidney, formation of kidney stones will be prevented. With the diuretic effect of alfalfa, water retention problem is also prevented, which can lead to many other serious health problems. Alfalfa also helps in the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Alfalfa Helps Maintain Healthy Glowing Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We all know how polluted and toxic the environment is becoming these days, adding our day to day stressful life to the mix makes things worse. All this stress <\/a>makes our body age faster than what is considered normal. This has sparked an interest in anti-aging research and development, to create methods to revitalize the skin from extrinsic and intrinsic damage. This is where alfalfa comes in. A study was conducted in which an anti-aging serum containing alfalfa produced a significant improvement in facial wrinkles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alfalfa did this with fibrillin-1 deposition. Fibrillin is a glycoprotein which is essential for the formation of elastic fibers. This proved that if a serum containing alfalfa is applied to the skin, it can have a significant effect to reduce wrinkles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to glowing skin, alfalfa helps reduce oxidative stress in the skin and helps reduce mucopolysaccharides which are known to be the primary culprit when it comes to making the skin tough, dry and dull. You can reduce these stress markers and help your skin look much younger and healthier with the use of alfalfa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12.  Alfalfa is Vitamin-Rich Plant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alfalfa is a Vitamin-rich herb it contains a bunch of different Vitamins that are essential for your body. It contains many Vitamins <\/a>such as Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting but is also essential for liver health and longevity. It contains Vitamin C, which is also known as L-ascorbic acid.\u00a0 This is a strong antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antioxidant molecules in Vitamin C also boost the immune system and help prevent damage from free radicals. It also has Vitamin A which is a generic term for a group of fat-soluble molecules. Vitamin A is essential for many bodily processes. Some of these include healthy vision, proper development of babies in the womb and proper functioning of the immune system and organs. Alfalfa also contains other essential vitamins such as Folate, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Pantothenic acid, Niacin, and Vitamin B6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13.  Alfalfa is Rich in Protein<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Protein <\/a>is a macronutrient that is essential to building muscle mass. It is commonly found in animal products, though is also present in other sources, such as nuts and legumes. Alfalfa is known for its high protein content although it only applies for alfalfa hay and alfalfa powder concentrate. It also provides all the essential amino acids that are needed for the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life. When proteins are digested or broken down, amino acids are left. The human body uses amino acids to make proteins to help the body: break down food, grow, repair body tissue, and perform many other body functions. Amino acids such as arginine, alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies do show that alfalfa has the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses such as herpes simplex. L-canavanine, a non-protein amino acid, found in alfalfa leaves and roots, has been shown to have antiviral properties and be effective in controlling leukemia and cancer cells in animal studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14.  Alfalfa Treats Digestive issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We all know how important it is to have a good functioning digestive system. A healthy digestive system is a key to optimum health. Alfalfa contributes in many ways to help with the digestive process. It is well-known for treating digestive problems such as gastritis, stomach ulcers, indigestion, bloating<\/a>, nausea, etc.\u00a0 Alfalfa is also full of prebiotics, mainly fructo-oligosaccharides. Prebiotics are necessary for your body to function properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prebiotics feed the probiotics (good bacteria) in your gut, thereby helping them do a better job to support your health. Probiotics help you with a host of processes in the gut like, produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), fight bad bacteria like candida, elevate mood, and also help you digest your food. Alfalfa also contains a plethora of enzymes which help you break down a variety of food components. These include lipase which helps you break down fats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amylase which breaks down carbohydrates, like sugar and starch. It also has protease which is an important enzyme that helps break down protein molecules.  Alfalfa is also packed with potassium. A majority of people are potassium deficient these days. Potassium aids in water retention found within the body, it also helps with digestion. It also has diuretic properties and helps in digestion regularity. This can especially help those who suffer from constipation on a regular basis.
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