Hemp Seed & its Health Benefits!

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been used since ancient times for medicinal & nutritional purposes, due to its rich chemical content. More than 500 different compounds have been characterised in Cannabis with photo-cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenoids & fatty acids being the most relevant families. This “centuries old” agricultural crop is grown for its fibre or oil & consumed for the nutritional & medicinal purposes. The versatility of the seed lends itself to the continuing development of numerous products for the food, therapeutic, nutritional, cosmetic, clothing & paper industries.

In the past two-decades, most countries around the world have legalised industrial Hemp production, prompting a significant amount of research on the health benefits of Hemp & Hemp products. Its important to note here that in today’s post we are discussing only Hemp & not medicinal Cannabis, these two are very different genetical strains, and utilised to two very different ways. In terms of prohibition, industrial Hemp was guilty by association with medicinal Cannabis, and finally Hemp products are being made legally available to us all.

So today, I would like to share with you the nutritional health benefits of Hemp Seeds & the Oil from Hemp. The seed of Hemp stands as a great source of nutrients, containing around 35% lipids (good fats), 25% protein & 30% carbohydrates. The use of Hemp for nutritional purposes is growing rapidly, and for good reasons. Hemp Seed Oil has a rich content of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of fatty acids that reaches the optimal 3:1 proportion. This 3:1 value is considered as supreme for human health, with a positive influence in health by reducing the risk of suffering from Cardio-Vascular Disease, among other illnesses. However, just as importantly, studies indicate that an incorrect ratio (high omega-6 & low omega-3) of poly-unsaturated fatty acids as used in fast foods, chips, pastries, and various other junk foods in our diet increases our risk of poor health & mood!

Hemp Seed Oil does contain other important biological properties, such as anti-oxidants & anti-inflammatory benefits with constituents such as poly-phenols, caro-tenoids & toco-pherals & because of this Hemp Seed Oil is a good alternative in diets & would also be suitable for vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diets. Hemp Seeds are rich in dietary fibre that can have many beneficial affects of gut function (Sharon’s major passion-gut health!), the seeds contain a high percentage of oil, which is usually extracted by cold pressing, it has a characteristic green colour & fresh nutty taste & smell. Hemp Seed protein is highly digestible & is a great source of plant-based protein, due to its high quality, its a good source of essential amino acids, many minerals, and nutrients.

In a recent clinical trial (actually the first one of this kind of investigation), studied the potential lowering effects on high blood pressure, as uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to other diseases including stroke, coronary artery disease, as well as heart & kidney failure! One of the prominent potential therapeutic lifestyle strategies to prevent or manage hypertension (high blood pressure) is increasing dietary protein such as hemp seeds, the results of the study confirmed the health benefits of Hemp Seed.

And, we only need around 2-3 tablespoons per day! So, let me show you how easy it is to include Hemp Seeds in your daily food intake! Here is my Breaky-Brunch Salad recipe!