| The health benefits of alfalfa are largely unsupported | | | | enzymes in them, and some vitamins may be lost. |
| scientifically, although there is plenty of anecdotal | | | | There was an outbreak of salmonella in 2002 in |
| enthusiasm for it. Alfalfa is highly nutritious, containing | | | | California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, and |
| approximately 16% protein, and 8% of minerals like | | | | the FDA recommends that sprouts be cooked first. |
| calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. It also | | | | And in 1995, alfalfa sprouts were associated with an |
| contains small amounts of the vitamins A, D, E, and | | | | outbreak of salmonella in Chicago. 17 people |
| K. | | | | experienced symptoms ranging from diarrhea, |
| Alfalfa is believed to support the immune system, | | | | vomiting, fever, and headaches, and 4 people had to |
| help in normalizing blood clotting, assist with the | | | | be hospitalized. Many organic growers, however, feel |
| absorption of nutrients, alleviate hot flushes, cleanse | | | | their seeds are safe, and the risk is exaggerated. |
| the blood, and promote heart health. | | | | Washing sprouts well can minimize the risk of |
| New research also found that alfalfa sprouts and | | | | bacterial poisoning like salmonella. Thorough washing |
| other sprouted vegetables (like broccoli and clover | | | | also removes mold, another possible problem. |
| sprouts), may help protect new cells from DNA | | | | One potential issue intrinsic to alfalfa is that it has |
| damage. In the trial conducted on human cells in vitro, | | | | been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus |
| researchers at the University of Ulster's School of | | | | (SLE) in animal studies (as opposed to human trials or |
| Biomedical Sciences found that whilst sprouts didn't | | | | cases). Alfalfa supplements have been associated |
| improve the health of already damaged DNA, it did | | | | with the activation of dormant SLE as well. SLE is an |
| protect cells from new damage. DNA damage is a | | | | autoimmune disease, which can damage the kidneys |
| biochemical indicator of cancer. | | | | and other organs. |
| However, there are a few things to consider before | | | | Alfalfa can also interfere with the way the body uses |
| adding a lot of sprouts to your diet, or supplementing | | | | vitamin E, and has been linked to abnormalities in the |
| with alfalfa. | | | | blood. These possible issues make taking alfalfa |
| Sprouts can harbor bacteria that leads to food | | | | supplements long term a bit risky. |
| poisoning. This is particularly of issue for children, the | | | | References: |
| elderly, and people with immune related illnesses, like | | | | 1. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=52995 |
| Aids. The problem can be eliminated if sprouts are | | | | 2. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=34189 |
| cooked, but then you don't get the benefit of all the | | | | 3. |