Alfalfa

Alfalfa, scientifically known as Medicago sativa, is a perennial plant from the family of legumes (Fabaceae) that is grown primarily as animal feed and a food source. Originally native to Southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region, alfalfa is now cultivated worldwide. Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that make it a popular superfood.

Properties and Nutrient Content

Alfalfa is characterized by a high nutritional value, which makes it an excellent feed for livestock and a useful food source for humans. The plant is rich in:

  • Proteins: Alfalfa contains a high proportion of plant proteins, which makes it ideal for animal feeding. People looking for protein-rich plant sources can also benefit from it (1,2,3).
  • Vitamins: Alfalfa is particularly rich in vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. It also contains vitamin C, vitamin E, and several B vitamins, which are essential for metabolism and energy production (1,2,3).
  • Minerals: Alfalfa provides calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc, which makes it a mineral-rich dietary supplement (1,2,3).
  • Antioxidants: Alfalfa contains numerous antioxidants such as flavonoids, which can contribute to fighting free radicals in the body and possess anti-inflammatory properties (1,2).
  • Fiber: The leaves and sprouts of the plant contain fiber, which is good for digestion (3).

Uses of Alfalfa Alfalfa has a wide variety of different areas of application. It is one of the most commonly used feeds for cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. It is often used as hay or silage and provides important nutrients for the growth and health of the animals. Alfalfa hay is particularly rich in protein and helps promote the growth of livestock. For human consumption, alfalfa is offered in various forms, including alfalfa sprouts, leaves, and powder. The sprouts are especially popular in salads, smoothies, or as a garnish for various dishes, as they offer a mild taste and a high nutritional value. In naturopathy, alfalfa is traditionally used to treat various health complaints. It has been used to promote digestion, to strengthen the immune system, and to provide support for joint complaints. Alfalfa is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and to be able to support the body in detoxification. Alfalfa is also an important soil-improving plant, as it binds nitrogen from the air and channels it into the soil. Through this ability, alfalfa promotes soil development and helps maintain the fertility of agricultural land.

Health Benefits of Alfalfa Numerous human and animal studies have been conducted with alfalfa, which were able to link the plant to the following health benefits:

Support for bone health: Thanks to its high content of vitamin K (3) and calcium, alfalfa can support bone health. Vitamin K plays a crucial role in the mineralization of the bones and helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis (4,5,6).

Blood clotting and heart health: Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting. A deficiency of vitamin K can lead to impaired clotting and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. According to studies, alfalfa could help regulate vitamin K levels and protect the cardiovascular system (6).

Cholesterol-lowering effect: Some studies have shown that alfalfa can help lower cholesterol levels. It has been found that certain components of the plant can block the absorption of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and reduce total cholesterol levels in the body (7,8,9,10).

Support for the immune system: Alfalfa contains a variety of antioxidants that could potentially help strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. These antioxidants could also help protect the cells from oxidative stress (1,2).

Risks and Side Effects Although alfalfa is generally considered safe, side effects can occur in some people or under certain conditions. Alfalfa contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that can exert an estrogen-like effect in the body. This could be problematic for people with hormone-dependent conditions such as certain types of cancer or for pregnant women (11). There is also evidence that alfalfa could have negative effects in people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, as it may possibly worsen symptoms (12). Since alfalfa is rich in vitamin K, it could interfere with the effect of blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (12). People taking such medications should be cautious and discuss the intake of alfalfa with their doctor.

Conclusion

Alfalfa is a versatile plant with an impressive nutrient profile that is of great benefit both for animal feeding and for human nutrition. It offers numerous potential health benefits, including support for bone health, the improvement of heart health, and the lowering of LDL cholesterol. Although alfalfa is generally considered safe, people with autoimmune diseases, hormone sensitivities, or those taking blood-thinning medications should exercise caution and take possible side effects into account.

Sources:

  1. Raeeszadeh, M., Beheshtipour, J., Jamali, R., & Akbari, A. (2022). The Antioxidant Properties of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Its Biochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Pathological Effects on Nicotine-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Liver. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2022, 2691577. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2691577
  2. Bora, K. S., & Sharma, A. (2011). Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Medicago sativa: a review. Pharmaceutical biology, 49(2), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2010.504732
  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (2020), Alfalfa sprouts, raw, https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1103333/nutrients
  4. Rodríguez-Olleros Rodríguez, C., & Díaz Curiel, M. (2019). Vitamin K and Bone Health: A Review on the Effects of Vitamin K Deficiency and Supplementation and the Effect of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants on Different Bone Parameters. Journal of osteoporosis, 2019, 2069176. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2069176
  5. Weber P. (2001). Vitamin K and bone health. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 17(10), 880–887. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0899-9007(01)00709-2
  6. Vermeer C. (2012). Vitamin K: the effect on health beyond coagulation - an overview. Food & nutrition research, 56, 10.3402/fnr.v56i0.5329. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v56i0.5329
  7. Mölgaard, J., von Schenck, H., & Olsson, A. G. (1987). Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis, 65(1-2), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9150(87)90019-0
  8. Amraie, E., Farsani, M. K., Sadeghi, L., Khan, T. N., Babadi, V. Y., & Adavi, Z. (2015). The effects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on blood glucose and lipids in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Interventional medicine & applied science, 7(3), 124–128. https://doi.org/10.1556/1646.7.2015.3.7
  9. Shi, Y., Guo, R., Wang, X., Yuan, D., Zhang, S., Wang, J., Yan, X., & Wang, C. (2014). The regulation of alfalfa saponin extract on key genes involved in hepatic cholesterol metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats. PloS one, 9(2), e88282. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088282
  10. Farsani, M. K., Amraie, E., Kavian, P., & Keshvari, M. (2016). Effects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Interventional medicine & applied science, 8(3), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.1556/1646.8.2016.3.5
  11. Zhou, S. J., Greco, R. L., Grivell, R., Louise, J., Deussen, A., Dodd, J., & Moran, L. J. (2019). Awareness of Listeriosis and Methylmercury toxicity public health recommendations and diet during pregnancy. Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 32(1), e65–e70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.04.005
  12. Alfalfa. (2021). In Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.