|
Alfalfa Sprouts | Good for Skin care
Alfalfa sprouts don't grow in a jungle but there is a little bit to discover about their nutritious and health value for skin care.
Generaly sprouts are very good sources of phytoechemicals that protect us against disease. One group of phytochemicals are phytoestrogens that are hormonel ike substances of plant orgin. In plants these substances regulate hormones and protect against predators and ultraviolet radiation.
In human body they increase bone formation and density. They are also helpful in controlling hot flashes, menopause, PMS, and fibrocystic breast tumors. Alfalfa sprouts are rich in phytoestrogens. Another group of phytochemicals in them are saponins. Saponins lower the "bad" cholesterol and fat, but not "good" HDL fats. Animal studies prove their benefit in arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Saponins stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells such as T-Lymphocytes and interferon.
The interesting fact is that content of saponinsin alfalfa sprouts multiplies 450% over that of the unsprouted seed as stated in Alfalfa sprouts has amino acid analog canavanine that demonstrated benefit for pancreatic, colon and leucemia cancers. They have strong antioxidant capacity as well.
I quote"Based on the fresh weight of the vegetable, garlic had the highest antioxidant activity against peroxylradicals (19.4) followed by kale (17.4), spinach (12.6), brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, broccoliflowers..." And then "Kale had the highest antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radicals followed by brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, beets..." from Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 44: (11) 3426-3431 November 1996 - Antioxidant Capacity of Tea and Common vegetables by Car GH, Sofic E, Prior RL Sprouts are very alkaline and alfalfa are no exeption.T hey have very high bio-electrical charge.
What about vitamins and minerals in alfalfa sprouts? They are good source of vitamin C (2.706 mg/cup), folate (11.880 mcg/cup), vitamin A in form of betacaroten(51.150 IU/cup), niacine (0.159 mg/cup), pantothenicacid (0.186 mg/cup).
|
