Although hemp has been used for thousands of years for everything from clothing, paper and bowstrings, there are still a lot of misconceptions about this plant. It is important to note that hemp is not the same variant of Cannabis as the one used for marijuana.
In contrast to marijuana, there are virtually negligible levels of the psychoactive substance, tetrahydrocannabinol, in hemp seeds compared to marijuana. In fact, what makes hemp seeds so special is the fact that they are exceptionally nutritious, as these following facts demonstrate.
Rich In Protein
Our bodies require protein in order to keep functioning in an optimal capacity and hemp seeds are absolutely packed with it. How packed? Well, studies that were done on hemp seeds to determine the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score found the proteins in hemp seeds to be equal or even greater to that of some grains and nuts. In fact, one ounce of hemp seeds contain 9.2 grams of protein, which is 18% of the recommended daily value.
Great Source For Fiber
Fiber is another essential part of any healthy diet and hemp seeds contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber is very important for digestion and also for the prevention of obesity, diabetes and more. Since whole hemp seeds contains almost 17 grams of fiber per 56 gram serving, it is an easy way up your daily fiber intake and stay regular.
Can Help Fight Diseases
While there are many products that contain omega-3 content, hemp seeds provides the only essential one, which is alpha-linolenic acid. Since the body is able to produce other omega-3 fatty acids from alpha-linolenic acid, hemp seeds are more useful than something like fish oil supplements and doesn’t come with the risk of mercury ingestion. Consuming the omega-3 fatty acids from hemp seeds can help your body fight against diseases, such as arthritis, cancer and heart disease. Just as beneficial is the phytonutrients in hemp seeds, which also help to prevent disease and keep the body healthy.
Allergen Free
Hemp seeds are not nuts, but actually fruits, making them safe for people who are allergic to nuts. Since they do not contain the enzyme inhibitors found in grains, nuts and legumes which normally cause allergic reactions or intolerance to food they are quite safe. In addition, hemp seeds are also lactose and gluten-free. Since hemp is very resistant to pests it doesn’t require the use of pesticides either, making it a more natural choice.
Contains Magnesium
One of the minerals that are very beneficial for our bodies is magnesium and hemp seeds is a great way to add it to your diet. This mineral is not only great for blood pressure and blood sugar control, but also helps with relaxation. As a single serving of hemp seeds can contain up to half of the daily recommended magnesium dose, which can help with insomnia as well.
Hemp has been getting a pretty bad rap because people associate or mistake it for marijuana, but examining the facts reveals that this definitely shouldn’t be the case. Consuming hemp seeds is not going to get anyone addicted to illegal or harmful substances and comes with too many health benefits to ignore. Thanks to all of these nutritional benefits, hemp seeds truly deserves to be counted as one of the so called “super foods.” Hemp seeds are also versatile enough to be added to a variety of dishes, ensuring that you can prepare them exactly according to your taste.
