Red Clover Sprouts Nutritional Analysis

Red clover is a wild perennial plant originating in Europe and Asia, and now found all over North America. While the plant is often used for medicinal purposes, including as a diuretic and expectorant, its sprouts are rich in nutrients and make a healthy contribution to your diet. Knowing the nutrition information can help you determine its benefits to your diet.

Calories

Like other vegetables, red clover sprouts are a very low-energy-dense food, and can help satisfy your appetite without costing you too many calories. A 100 g serving of red clover sprouts contains just 23 calories.

Protein

Most of the calories in red clover sprouts, almost 70 percent, comes from their protein content. One serving contains 4 g of protein, meeting 8 percent of your daily value. However, red clover sprouts are not a complete source of protein, meaning they do not contain all of the essential amino acids. If you eat a varied diet that includes a variety of vegetables and grains, you should be able to meet your essential amino acid needs for good health.

Carbohydrates and Fiber

Including red clover sprouts in your diet can also help you meet your daily fiber needs. One 100-g serving contains 2.1 g of carbohydrates and 1.9 g of fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate your body cannot digest. It adds bulk to stool to help improve bowel movements and prevent constipation. The fiber in the sprouts also slows digestion, which aids in hunger control. In addition, including more fiber in your diet can lower your risk of both diabetes and heart disease.

Fat

Red clover sprouts are virtually fat-free. A 100-g serving contains 0.7 g of total fat. While fat is a necessary nutrient needed for energy and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, high intakes can be detrimental to your health. High fat diets have been linked to higher rates of heart disease, certain types of cancers and obesity. Including more fat-free foods in your diet like red clover sprouts can help you limit your overall intake.

Vitamins and Minerals

When a plant begins to sprout, its vitamin and mineral content dramatically increases to support needs for growth. Red clover sprouts are nutrient-rich and a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. A 100-g serving contains 32 mg of calcium, 0.96 mg of iron, 36 mcg of folate and 155 IU of vitamin A.