Hemp seeds are an underrated yet valuable food source with a wide variety of health benefits, including their ability to improve heart health, stimulate good digestion, build muscle mass, eliminate insomnia, treat anaemia, aid in weight loss, stimulate metabolic activity, build muscle mass, prevent various cancers, improve the immune system, reduces symptoms of menopause and menstruation, boost skin and hair health, build strong bones, and balance the hormonal levels in the body.

Hemp and hemp seeds have been used for thousands of years by various cultures as a traditional medicine and dietary supplement because the effects were so clearly positive. Modern science has explained why hemp has always seemed like such a healthy thing to eat, it is one of the only dietary sources of plant matter that is a complete protein. This means that it contains all 8 essential amino acids that the body cannot produce naturally, but requires for a vast number of internal processes. However, this is only one of the many attributes that makes hemp seeds such a great addition to any diet and lifestyle.

Hemp is the common term for a variety of plants in the Cannabis family. This beneficial and versatile plant can be turned into fibres, oil, wax, resin, cloth, fuel, and a wide range of other useful products. We are concerned with its use as a food source, and the benefits in that department are vast. Hemp grows all over the world, as it is a very resilient plant and can grow in a variety of environmental conditions. Some countries have banned the use or growth of hemp and cannabis plants because they contain a psychotropic chemical called THC, which some people use as a recreational drug. Therefore, some countries have formed varieties of cannabis/hemp that do not contain the THC component. There is ongoing debate regarding the use of cannabis, commonly known by the name “marijuana”, to treat a variety of health issues and conditions.

Health benefits

Nutritional Value of Hemp Seed

Hemp seed is so widely used throughout the world because of its availability, sustainability, versatility, and health benefits. The elements that make it so useful are mainly its chemical components, nutrients, and minerals. These include high levels of Zinc, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and fibre. Also, hemp seed contains 21 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Furthermore, it is composed of a large number of edible oils and a variety of essential fats in the body, including a rare form of omega-6 called GLA (gamma linoleic acid).

Cardiovascular Health: Hemp seed has a wide range of effects on heart health, including the proper balance of cholesterol or fatty acids in the body. Most specialists recommended a specific balance of 3:1 or 4:1 omega-6 fatty acid to omega-3 fatty acid. Hemp seed is one of the only plant substances in the world where this is the normal balance already. Proper balance of saturated fats in the body is essential to normal functioning of the body, and the prevention of various conditions, including atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Furthermore, since hemp seed has a high content of fibre, heart health is further boosted because fibre scrapes off excess cholesterol from the artery walls that also lead to heart conditions, and takes them to the excretory system where they can be processed and eliminated.

Furthermore, hemp seed has a final unique characteristic. Gamma linoleic acid, commonly known as GLA, is a rare form of omega-6 fatty acid that can be found in very few edible sources, but it can have amazingly beneficial effects on your health. It has been connected to improving a number of cardiovascular conditions, and it helps to lower negative cholesterol, while increasing the presence of beneficial cholesterol. Overall, hemp seed is a powerful weapon against damage to your heart!

Digestive Health: Hemp seed is a wonderful source of dietary fibre, both insoluble and soluble, in a ratio of 4:1. Insoluble fibre is best at bulking up stool and easing the passage through the digestive tract, thereby reducing symptoms of both diarrhoea and constipation. Soluble fibre, on the other hand, is responsible for slowing glucose absorption and increasing the digestive and gastric juices, which further ease the passing of bowels. Soluble fibre also stimulates bile juice, which reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the body. Overall, the effects of these two types of fibre on the body can help you avoid a number of mild to serious conditions, including colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Insomnia: One of the most important aspects of hemp seed is its high mineral content, including magnesium, which creates a very soothing and relaxing sensation throughout the body. Magnesium has various stimulating qualities on enzymes and hormones that induce sleep. Serotonin is released when magnesium is administered, and it travels to the brain, where it becomes converted to melatonin. Melatonin is a powerful sleep aid, and insomnia patients have often claimed that magnesium supplementation is the reason. A single serving of hemp seed contains nearly 50% of the daily recommended dose of magnesium, so grab a handful and guarantee beneficial and restorative sleep.

Strong Bones: Hemp seed has a modest content of calcium, which is a necessary element in the creation and strengthening of bones, and also helps the repair of damaged bone matter. Furthermore, the positive boost of calcium which you get from hemp seed and hemp seed oil will help you reduce your chances of developing conditions like osteoporosis.

Treatment of Anaemia: One of the other minerals that can be found in hemp seed is iron, an integral part of red blood cell construction in the human body. Iron deficiency can result in anaemia, so having a proper amount of iron intake from foods like hemp seed can help prevent anaemia, which displays itself in symptoms like fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness, and a wide range of other symptoms.

Weight Loss: Since hemp seed is very low in sodium and calories, and is a complete protein, it can be eaten in large quantities without fear of gaining too much weight. Complete proteins make the body feel full, because all of the necessary amino acids have been taken in through food, thereby inhibiting the release of ghrelin and curbing hunger pains. This reduces the chances of overeating and subsequent weight gain. Also, fibre makes the body feel full and stimulates good digestion and fast passage of bowels, which can reduce weight and increase the efficient absorption of nutrients.

Muscle Mass: Since hemp seed does have the 8 essential amino acids that cannot be made by the human body, it is known as a complete protein, and these are essential in the creation of new tissues in the body, and the strengthening of muscle mass and density. Eating an appropriate amount of hemp seed is a good way to boost your muscle tone and the positive effects of working out!

Prevents Cancer: There is a certain amount of phenolic compounds in hemp seed and hemp seed oil, and they act as powerful antioxidants which can prevent various types of cancer by eliminating free radicals. Free radicals are the toxic by-products of cellular metabolism, and can damage healthy cells by mutating their DNA into cancerous cells. By boosting your phenolic content through consumption of food like hemp seed, you can prevent many types of cancer from forming in the body.

Immune System Health: By having so many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, as well as phenolic compounds, fibre, and various beneficial oils, your entire immune system can benefit, and can help to defend the body against a variety of health conditions and diseases.

Hormonal Imbalance: The Gamma linoleic acid content of hemp seed works as a hormone regulator for the thyroid and pancreas, and it can reduce many of the symptoms that come from a hormonal imbalance, including severe menopausal symptoms, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. It also can help regulate the hormones that affect weight gain and hunger. Overall, by re-balancing your hormones, your body will work at its optimal, ideal level.

A Few Words of Warning: There are countless benefits of hemp seed, but are there any risks? There are no known allergic reactions to hemp seed, but the contact that the seeds may have had with THC-covered plant parts could result in small residues of THC on the seeds. This means that you could possibly experience the feeling being “high” or under the effect of the psychotropic chemical. This effect of hemp seed is quite rare, and isn’t harmful, but it can be an uncomfortable feeling if not anticipated. Use of hemp is banned/restricted in many countries, so consult your health specialist before use.