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