Hemp Seeds: The New Health Food

Not Just for Flower Children: Why You Should Make Hemp Seeds Your Next Go-To Food

By Maggie Park

What if there were a magic seed that controlled your hunger better than a diet pill? What could you accomplish if you never felt that mid-morning or 3:00 pm slump?

Could you impress your boss with your productivity and double your income? Could you help the kids with their homework, cook dinner, and still make sparkling conversation without feeling run-down? Would your clothes appear more flattering? Would your skin be more radiant?

Only you know what you can accomplish if your blood sugar, hunger, and even hormones stay balanced all day. Here’s how to make that happen: add hemp seeds and hemp seed oil to your diet.

What Are Hemp Seeds?

Hemp seeds are similar to sunflower seeds. Inside a hard shell lies a dry fruit. Unlike sunflower seeds, hemp seeds are usually sold with the hulls removed.

According to Nutiva, a popular source for hemp seeds, hemp seeds come from the Cannabis sativa L plant, the same plant species that produces marijuana. However, hemp seeds come from a variety of the plant grown for industrial use. These plants do not have a high psychoactive component, and eating hemp seeds will not cause you to fail a drug test.

Why Do Hemp Seeds Keep You Full?

Hemp seed protein is a perfect protein. In fact, the only other vegetable source higher in protein than hemp is soy. However, soy is also loaded with inhibitors that block the absorption of protein. Soy also has oligosaccharides, a component that causes uncomfortable gas and even nausea.

Currently, scientists have identified 20 amino acids, and hemp protein has all of these, an unusual phenomenon. Logically, then, hemp seeds have all of the essential and semi-essential amino acids — these are the amino acids that our bodies do not produce naturally and must be obtained from an outside source. All of this hemp seed protein keeps you full for a long time.

Another reason hemp seeds keep you full and you blood sugar level is the fiber they contain. Hemp seeds have both soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble fiber keeps your tummy full and regulates sugar absorption and insulin release. In fact, soluble fiber can help prevent diabetes. Naturally, the insoluble fiber in hemp seeds keeps your intestinal tract healthy. In fact, a few handfuls of hemp seeds provide an entire day’s fiber requirement.

Aren’t Hemp Seeds High in Calories?

Yes, hemp seeds are relatively high in calories. They have about 160 calories per ounce. However, you only need to eat two tablespoons of this magical seed in order to reap its benefits. Furthermore, calories are not necessarily created equal. These are not empty calories. Instead, eating hemp seeds can prevent you from eating junk foods that could have a detrimental effect on your health.

Are There Other Benefits to Eating Hemp Seeds?

Hemp seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds provide the highest non-meat source of essential fatty acids. In addition, they contain the perfect ratio of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids help reduce inflammation, the culprit behind heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and more. When you reduce inflammation, you reduce your risk of developing inflammation-related diseases.

Hemp seeds can lower your blood pressure. Because hemp seeds contain so many omega-3 fatty acids, eating them reduces the inflammation in your arteries. Therefore, you will experience lower blood pressure.

Hemp seeds are loaded with minerals. Hemp seeds are a great source of minerals. Instead of taking a multivitamin, try some hemp seeds. They contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and more.

Hemp seeds can lessen the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Hemp seeds contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that is thought to relieve hormone-related symptoms. Studies have indicated that during PMS some women’s bodies do not efficiently convert linolenic acid into GLA. If you are one of these women, hemp seeds may be a natural cure.

With all of these benefits, it just makes sense to try adding hemp seeds and hemp seed oil to your diet today. You may find that you are less prone to the mood swings caused by eating junk food and sugar. Your blood pressure will stay under control, and you will fight chronic inflammation with each bite. Most importantly, you will provide your body with the nutrition it craves, keeping you healthy and happy for years to come.