Hemp seeds are commonly used as a food supplement, or even incorporated into meals, to help you get the nutrients you need. The plants used in industrial hemp production are different from those in the drug known as marijuana. Foods can potentially become contaminated with trace amounts of THC, marijuana’s active ingredient, through handling of the leaves and stems during production. Many nutritional facts make this one of the best superfood choices available.
1. Complete Source of Protein
Hemp seeds are one of the few nonmeat sources of complete protein available on the market. The seeds contain all the amino acids essential for your body. Complete proteins help you build muscle and curb hunger, making weight loss attempts more effective by reducing the inclination to overeat.
2. Essential Fatty Acids
The seeds of the hemp plant also contain a variety of fatty acids that can help you with a variety of conditions ranging from inflammation of joints to prevention of certain cancers. Two essential fatty acids cannot be produced by your body and must be eaten, and they are both present in this powerful food product.
3. Cannabidiol
In the absence of THC, the potent substance known as cannabidiol can show its true effects. Cannabidiol has many pharmacological properties that make it desirable for sufferers of tremors and other nerve-related conditions. Its anticonvulsant and antiepileptic properties have been shown to reduce the tremors experienced by patients by up to 50 percent, making cannabidiol very effective in treating related illnesses.
4. Packed with Minerals
Hemp seeds are packed with a variety of minerals that your body needs for optimum operation. A single tablespoon provides more than:
- 16 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium and phosphorous
- 8 percent of the recommended DV of zinc
- 5 percent of the recommended DV of iron
For more nutritious superfoods checkout our 50 Best Superfoods of 2015
5. Treats Atopic Dermatitis
The oil found in hemp seeds has delivered great results for people with atopic dermatitis. At least one major study found that dietary intake of the oil can relieve itching and dryness commonly associated with the condition. The effects are ascribed primarily to the high levels of fatty acids found in the product. Coconut oil and Carrots are also great for skin!
6. Hemp Hearts
Hemp hearts are an easily digestible form of hemp seeds made by removing the seeds’ outer shells. They deliver many of the benefits of the product and are shelf stable, requiring no refrigeration for storage.
7. Hemp Seed Milk: Alternative to Dairy
Hemp seed milk is regularly used as an alternative to regular milk. It provides another easily consumable way to add many essential proteins and fatty acids to your diet, and the product makes a great choice for those who are allergic to cow’s milk or sensitive to dairy products as it can be used in many of the same applications.
8. Meat Substitute
The fact that hemp seeds contain complete proteins allows you to easily substitute them for regular meat products. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans published in 2010 suggest turning to nonmeat alternatives for protein for enhanced health. The high caloric value of hemp seeds makes it wise to use them to replace meat, chicken, and fish with similar calorie values in your diet.
9. Dense in Nutrients
Hemp seed is also available as a powder that can be sprinkled onto your foods or blended into a smoothie. The high nutrient density of this powder makes it one of the best protein supplements available on the market.
10. Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
Hemp seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is especially important for those who have trouble regulating their blood sugar. Diabetes sufferers may benefit greatly from the way that soluble fiber slows down the absorption of glucose and other sugars after a meal, creating a gradual increase instead of a spike in blood sugar levels. The insoluble fiber in the product aids in digestion, moving indigestible materials and waste products quickly through your system.
11. Almost Twice the Protein of Flax Seed
Many of the nutrients available through hemp seed consumption are also present in flaxseed products. Flaxseed oil contains far more alpha-linoleic acid, or ALA, than hemp seed oil. More standard linoleic acid is available through hemp seed oil, however, by about a 6 to1 ratio. ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid, and standard linoleic acid is an omega-6. Both are present in hemp seed oil and flax oil and essential for a healthy body. Your doctor may recommend a focus on one or both of these fatty acids based on your diet. Hemp powder also stores more easily and tends to last longer in storage than flaxseed powder, and protein hemp seed nutrition levels are almost twice that of flaxseed powder.
