Medicago sativa, Alfalfa and medical grass: the properties of the sprouts

 
Reduction and prevention of oxidative stress Moreover, the presence of quercetin and phytoalexins, bioactive molecules classified as flavonoids, belonging to the group of polyphenols, gives the alfalfa sprouts particularly interesting properties. Regarding quercetin, its potential for the health of our organization was already treated tab watercress and can be summarized as follows: antioxidant protection from direct and indirect DNA damage, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, detoxification, reduction of atherogenic risk and limiting tumor progression and metastasis in prostate cancer. Protection against cancer hormonal
Epidemiological studies have in fact shown that quercetin inhibits the onset and growth of prostate cancer, offering a risk reduction of 27% with a consumption of at least 24μg per day. This quantity is found increased by 20 times in just 30 grams of alfalfa sprouts !!! The phytoalexins is instead a molecule activities fitoestrogenica, the main component of the group of substances called Cumestani, also flavonoids, which are formed in the plant kingdom mainly during germination. The phytoalexins, like all phytoestrogens, is useful in the pre / post-menopausal for modular imbalances of female hormones, having an activity fitoestrogenica even higher than that of soybean, in addition to being an important addition to preventive against cancer hormonal (uterus, breast, ovaries, prostate). Also for the phytoalexins was found to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells as well as mammary and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells of uterine cancer.

 Dr Sabina Bietolini, biologist nutritionist, www.nutrirelasalute.eu

Glossary: Apoptosis: also called cell suicide and is a defense mechanism of our body which enables cancer cells, which could not be repaired, to meet a programmed death, so as to safeguard the entire organism. Many substances contained in plants are able to initiate the cascade of events required to activate apoptosis in damaged cells.

 Atherogenic: formation of plaques in blood vessels.

 Phytoestrogens: hormones produced by plants with a chemical structure similar to that of human estrogen.

Flavonoids: substances found naturally in the plant kingdom that have shown protective many activities for the human body.
RDA: Recommended daily intake levels of nutrients established for the Italian population by the Italian Society for Human Nutrition, reviewed periodically based on the latest scientific evidence published in international journals. Last revised in 2012: http://www.sinu.it/html/pag/nuovi_larn.asp

 Polyphenols: group of molecules produced by plants to its utility, which in the human body have shown several positive effects: anti-inflammatory, anticancer, detoxifying, antioxidant, fitoestrogenica, anti-free radical. Polyphenols are classified as different types of substances known as flavonoids, phytoestrogens, lignans, stilbenes, etc.

Usage in cooking
The alfalfa sprouts, have a delicate flavor and a job very versatile: they can be used from breakfast to dinner! The first morning are excellent with fruit slices or in soy yogurt, lunch filling for a sandwich or salad; can be added raw to cooked vegetables in season, warm soups, creams and legumes; in summer enriched rice salads and cold pasta vegetarian. Also try for a quick snack, simply seasoned with soy sauce, with capers and olives, or mushrooms in oil. In any case, should be eaten preferably raw to preserve all the nutritional content.
Conservation
The shoots must be kept in a refrigerator at + 4 ° C and + 6 ° C, in their container.

 References:

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Cimino et al. 2012. Polyphenols: key issues involved in chemoprevention of prostate cancer. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Article ID 632959, 8 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/632959.

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http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/quercetin

Kasai & Sakamura. 1986. Reexamination of canavanine disappearance during germination of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). J Nutr Sci Vitaminol, 32:1:77-82.

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Yuan et al. 2010. Suppression of the androgen receptor function by quercetin through protein-protein interactions of Sp1, c-Jun, and the androgen receptor in human prostate cancer cells. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 339, 1-2: 253–262.