Alfalfa Sprouts

Alfalfa sprouts are a rich source of numerous minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, in addition to vitamin C, vitamin A and numerous B vitamins, such as folate, thiamin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Impressively, one cup of serving (33g) of alfalfa sprouts delivers nearly 13% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin K, but only 7.6 calories, and a low glycemic index rating.
 
Health Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts
The most notable effects of alfalfa sprouts include the following:
 
Anticancer Potential
According to the book, The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, co-authored by Michael T. Murray, and Joseph Pizzorno, these sprouts are packed with phytoestrogens and antioxidants, which balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and suppress the formation of new blood cells that give rise to cancerous cells. 
 
Treats Menopause & Menstruation Irregularities
The high levels of vitamin K and phytoestrogens in alfalfa sprouts make them ideal for women as they balance estrogen levels to reduce hormone-related symptoms of menopause like mood swings. Vitamin K also has blood-clotting properties, which is why it can curb excessive bleeding. 
 
Weight Loss
With a minuscule amount of calories in these sprouts, they are the perfect fiber-rich food that will keep you feeling full without significantly increasing your daily calorie intake. Furthermore, the vitamins in these sprouts can help to stimulate the metabolism, which increases energy levels and boosts energy metabolism, thus helping to passively burn fat faster. While you shouldn’t eat too many alfalfa sprouts due to potential toxicity, daily consumption in your salads can definitely help to curb hunger pangs. 
 
Manages Diabetes
The notable fiber content in alfalfa sprouts makes it a prime food choice for people who are trying to avert diabetes. According to an animal study by the Polytechnic Journal, it concluded that alfalfa leave powder extract reduced plasma glucose levels in diabetic subjects. This helps in managing diabetes and cuts down the probability of it developing in the first place. Regular consumption of sprouts can lower your risk of metabolic syndrome and other conditions related to diabetes. 
 
Lower Cholesterol Levels
Studies dating back more than 40 years have found that alfalfa sprouts do have cholesterol-lowering properties, which means that these are good food choices for people at risk of coronary heart diseases. By reducing LDL cholesterol levels, you are able to protect against plaque formation in the arteries and blood vessels, which can lower your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. 
 
Boost Immune System
A single serving of alfalfa sprouts provides nearly 15% of your daily required intake of vitamin C, making these sprouts an excellent immune booster. By stimulating the production of white blood cells, alfalfa sprouts can protect the body from infections and inflammation. They also help in improving growth and repair, as vitamin C is such a critical part of collagen synthesis. 
 
Improve Digestion
Dietary fiber is needed by the body for many things including optimizing digestion and promoting the movement of stool through the bowels. Alfalfa sprouts are dense with dietary fiber and are known to reduce symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal distress.
 
Promote Growth & Repair
There is a surprisingly large amount of protein in alfalfa sprouts – nearly 10% of your daily requirement in a 100-gram serving. This can help with growth, development, and repair throughout the body, and will even help boost muscle mass and decrease fat deposition. 
 
Speed Up Healing Process
Vitamin K is in high supply within alfalfa sprouts, which can increase the speed of blood clotting in the body, making the healing process for wounds faster, and thus reducing the chance of infection. While too much vitamin K can cause cardiovascular problems and excessive blood clots, a moderate amount of alfalfa sprouts shouldn’t have these negative side effects. 
 
Prevent Osteoporosis
Magnesium, iron, calcium, and vitamin K, all play a key role in building strong bones and alfalfa sprouts have these nutrients in moderate supply. Regular consumption of these sprouts helps to prevent the early onset of osteoporosis. 
 
Stimulate Metabolism
With notable amounts of various B vitamins, these sprouts are able to stimulate metabolism in critical ways, ensuring that enzymatic reactions, hormone production, energy metabolism, and basic bodily functions take place smoothly. Being deficient in B vitamins has a number of negative side effects and these sprouts help to avoid them. 
 
Skin Care
These alfalfa sprouts are considered a high-antioxidant food and have been associated with certain anti-aging properties, such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes and improving the elasticity of the skin. The antioxidants can counter the effects of oxidative stress when eaten regularly (in moderation) and improve the glow and appearance of your skin.