By Nancy Mehlert, MS
Hemp seeds are rising in popularity as a wise and healthy addition to a whole food diet and it’s not hard to understand why. Inside this seed is a deeply nutritious profile of healthy fats, generous fiber, quality protein and an amazing supply of vitamins and minerals.
So let’s get clear right away about the relationship of hemp seeds to marijuana. Much like the difference between bell pepper and a chili pepper, both of which are in the pepper family but taste and look very different, hemp and marijuana are both members of the same plant family – cannabis. BUT they are very different! The psychoactive effect in marijuana is caused by Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp foods contain only 0.001% of this and do not cause a false positive drug test, nor do they affect pregnant women or children or anyone else eating a quality hemp seed.
So why should you enjoy hemp seeds as part of a healthy diet? Here are 9 really great reasons to include 3 Tablespoons of hemp in your diet often:
- You can get an enormous amount of great nutrition in one tiny package. Easy to add to foods and baking or just eat, it is an essential part of fast, portable, healthy food choices.
- It has 10 grams of omegas, perfectly balanced between 3s and 6s and high in quality, more than flaxseed or chia seed.
- The high quality Omega 6 called “GLA”, which stands for gamma linolenic acid, is promoted by the American Cancer Society as an anti-cancer compound. GLA rich foods such as hemp have been observed to help with ADHD, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, PMS, rheumatoid arthritis and skin allergies.
- It has 10 grams of vegetarian protein which is also hypoallergenic, and again, more than flaxseed or chia seed. It contains all 20 amino acids AND, therefore, all 9 of the essential amino acids that our body cannot produce. It is considered a “complete” protein.
- Hemp is a very low carb food. All of the carbs in hemp are fiber.
- Magnesium deficiency is very common and 3 TBS of hemp offers an amazing 181 mg of magnesium.
- Hemp seeds are also rich in calcium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and iron.
- They offer a good source of Vitamin A as well as some B Vitamins and Vitamin D.
- Hemp hearts are raw, whole food with just one simple ingredient.
Eat well. Live Well.
Sources:
http://draxe.com/7-hemp-seed-benefits-nutrition-profile/