The sprouted seedlings of the alfalfa plant add crunch and flavor to salads and sandwiches. Alfalfa sprouts can be grown year-round in a variety of growing conditions, so they are typically available throughout the year. In addition to being consumed as food, alfalfa sprouts are also used as a traditional medicine for treating a wide range of conditions.
Nutrition
One cup of alfalfa sprouts contains 33 calories and less than 1g of fat. Alfalfa sprouts have 1.3g of protein per cup. Alfalfa sprouts are cholesterol-free and low in sodium. A cup of alfalfa sprouts has 1g of fiber. There are 10mcg of vitamin K in a cup of alfalfa sprouts, about 13 percent of the daily recommended intake. Alfalfa also contains vitamins A, C and E, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, copper, riboflavin, niacin, choline, folate and pantothenic acid. Alfalfa sprouts also contain antioxidant phytochemicals, plant compounds that benefit health.
Traditional Medicine
As an herbal medicine, alfalfa is used to treat prostate, bladder and kidney problems. Alfalfa has also been used as a remedy for asthma, arthritis, nausea and diabetes. Alfalfa may also be able to lower cholesterol levels, including LDL levels. The seeds and leaves are used in addition to the sprouts. Most of the medicinal uses of alfalfa sprouts have not been sufficiently studied in clinical trials, so their effectiveness is unknown.
Contamination
Raw alfalfa sprouts can become contaminated with the bacteria salmonella. When eaten, these contaminated sprouts may cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and vomiting. People with weak immune systems, such as children, the elderly and pregnant women, are at higher risk for developing food poisoning after eating contaminated sprouts. The bacteria listeria can also contaminate raw alfalfa sprouts and cause food poisoning. Listeria can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and can cause infection in the newborn, stillbirth or miscarriage.
Special Considerations
People who consume a lot of alfalfa sprouts may become more sensitive to the sun and need more sunblock than normal. Because alfalfa has mild estrogenic effects, an ability to mimic estrogen in the body, women with hormone-dependent cancers or who are pregnant should avoid alfalfa unless approved by a doctor. Alfalfa may stimulate the immune system, so people with autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, may also want to avoid alfalfa. Diabetics who eat a lot of alfalfa should monitor blood glucose levels daily, since alfalfa may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar.
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