What are hemp seeds?
Hemp seeds are technically a nut derived from the hemp plant, or Cannabis sativa. Hemp seeds, or hemp hearts, are used raw or cooked, pressed into oil or even shelled on a salad.
- A 3 Tbsp serving size of hemp seeds gives:
- 1 g fiber
- 10 g protein
- And 12 grams Omega-3 & Omega-6
Hemp seeds are high in good fats, and can reduce inflammation
Our bodies can’t produce essential fatty acids, so we must get them from somewhere. Fish is a popular source of Omega-3s, but did you know hemp is a great source of Omega-3 too?
Most of our diet is high in Omega-6 and low in Omega-3. Hemp helps our bodies manage the delicate balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Hemp also contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid with anti-inflammatory effects.
All these essential fatty acids mean healthier brains, digestive systems, skin, and even a reduction of inflammation.
Hemp seeds are a complete plant-based protein
25% of hemp seed calories come from protein… For those playing along at home, this is a pretty significant number.
Additionally, hemp seeds are a complete protein, meaning they contain all essential amino acids, including the rarely seen lysine.
Hemp seeds may reduce PMS and menopause symptoms
In a study on PMS and essential fatty acids, women who took a fatty acid supplement showed a decrease in PMS symptoms.
Guess what superfood is high in these same essential fatty acids?
Hemp seeds.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21241460
Hemp seeds may help with your skin
Fatty acids actually help dry skin and atopic dermatits. The oil found in hemp seeds can improve the balance required for healthy, glowing skin.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16019622
Hemp is full of other vitamins and minerals
Vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc…. Hemp’s got ‘em all. Add that to the good fat and GLA above, and it’s no wonder why everyone is raving about this superfood.
Hemp protects your heart
Let’s turn to Healthline for the science here:
“Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide.
Interestingly, eating hemp seeds may reduce your risk of heart disease.
The seeds contain high amounts of the amino acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in your body.Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that makes your blood vessels dilate and relax, leading to lowered blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease.
In a large study in over 13,000 people, increased arginine intake corresponded with decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker. High levels of CRP are linked to heart disease.
The gamma-linolenic acid found in hemp seeds has also been linked to reduced inflammation, which may decrease your risk of diseases like heart disease.
Additionally, animal studies have shown that hemp seeds or hemp seed oil may reduce blood pressure, decrease the risk of blood clot formation and help the heart recover after a heart attack.”
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-health-benefits-of-hemp-seeds#section2
Hemp seeds help digestion
Everyone loves a good poop joke… Insert your favorite here.
In all seriousness, though, hemp is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, helping waste pass through your body like nobody’s business (except yours.)
Will hemp seeds make me high?
No. Hemp seeds will NOT make you high.
Hemp seeds come from hemp plants, not marijuana plants, so let’s get that confusion out of the way immediately.
Marijuana plants are cannabis plants that contain MORE than .3% THC.
Hemp plants are cannabis plants that contain LESS than .3% THC.
And it’s THC that gets you high.
So hemp plants, which contain less than .3% THC, cannot and will not get you high.