Alfalfa helps Lower High Cholesterol. It contains saponins, a substance thought to bind cholesterol to bile salts and reduce serum cholesterol levels. Animal studies have shown a direct association between increasing doses of alfalfa saponin extract and decreasing blood cholesterol levels in rats.4
Whether the same effect can be achieved in humans is uncertain. Alfalfa has been understudied as a potential treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and it is unclear if the same relative dose in rats can be used safely in humans. Further research is needed.
Herbs and Supplements That Help Lower Cholesterol, Diabetes, Fiber-rich foods like alfalfa may help control blood sugar by slowing the absorption of glucose in the intestines. As such, alfalfa may aid in the treatment of diabetes or prediabetes. There has been some evidence of this, albeit scant, in animal studies.
. Alfalfa is, in fact, one of the more popular ingredients used in herbal arthritis remedies.
To date, these benefits remain largely unproven. With rheumatoid arthritis particularly, the underlying cause of inflammation is autoimmune (meaning the body's own immune cells attack healthy joints). Alfalfa in no way alters this action. In fact, there is evidence that alfalfa can trigger acute symptoms of certain autoimmune diseases.10
As for osteoarthritis, there has yet to be any clear evidence that alfalfa in any form can help relieve joint pain or inflammation.