7 Reasons to Include Hemp Seeds in Diet

Reasons to Include Hemp Seeds in Diet, For many, the word “hemp” is associated exclusively with a fun pastime. But in fact, it should be of interest not only to fans of Bob Marley but also to adherents of a healthy lifestyle. Hemp contains many useful components necessary for health.

And even though hemp and marijuana belong to the same species – cannabis sativa, they have different compositions and different properties. And most importantly, hemp seeds, which are grown for consumption, contain about 0.001% tetrahydrocannabinol – the same psychoactive ingredient that brought marijuana such popularity. Today we will analyze seven reasons to include this superfood in your diet.

Hemp is an annual bast-fiber plant of the Cannabis family. Certain types of hemp are used in medicine to make psychotropic drugs, and as an agricultural crop, hemp has long been grown to obtain fibers, seeds , and oils . Hemp stems consist of very strong fibers (hemp), so they are widely used to make paper, clothing, shoes, ropes, cables, cables, and threads. In Russia, about 140 thousand tons of hemp were produced at the end of the 19th century, which accounted for about 40% of hemp production in Europe. Hemp was also one of the main agricultural crops of the USSR. Currently, industrial cultivation of hemp in Russia is greatly hampered by many bureaucratic obstacles and strict requirements for the protection of crops, which were adopted by the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961.

Vitamins and minerals

Hemp seeds are rich in B vitamins, which are responsible for regulating cellular respiration and metabolism. Thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), myo-inositol (B8) and folic acid (B0) act as coenzymes in protein-carbohydrate metabolism reactions. Cannabis kernels also contain beta-carotene and fat-soluble vitamins C, E and D, which support the health of the musculoskeletal system, skin, hair and nails. The mineral composition is also pleasing – at your service is almost a complete daily set of macronutrients:

• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• sulfur.

Reason #1: Healthy Fatty Acids

Hemp seeds are 30% fat. They boast a large number of amino acids in their composition, including alpha-linolenic (omega-3) and linoleic (omega-6). Hemp oil contains the same amino acids. A study has shown that consuming hemp oil reduces the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. This happened presumably due to a change in the amount of fatty acids in the body. Moreover, hemp contains lysine, an amino acid that has an antiviral effect and is especially useful in the fight against herpes. However, animal studies have shown that a lack of lysine causes the development of immunodeficiency states .

Reason #2. Protein

More than 25% of the calories in hemp seeds are proteins. There are about 11 grams of protein per 30 grams of seeds (about two tablespoons). For comparison, 100 grams of pork contains about 27 grams. Moreover, hemp can be called a complete source of plant protein, since it also contains a complex of essential amino acids. Therefore, hemp seeds can serve as a source of protein for vegetarians and vegans, as well as for athletes.

Reason #3: Help for the cardiovascular system

The question of how hemp seeds affect the cardiovascular system has been of interest to scientists for a long time. To find out, various tests have been conducted, mainly on rats. One of them showed that the seeds of this plant can be part of a treatment to lower high blood pressure. And another – that they can help the heart recover from coronary heart disease. Moreover, another study, conducted on rabbits, showed that after adding hemp seeds to the diet, the level of cholesterol in the blood stabilizes. Therefore, if the results of all these tests are to be believed, the use of cannabis sativa internally is also beneficial for our cardiovascular system.

Reason #4: Healthy hormonal background

Among fatty acids, I would like to highlight gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It is an omega-6 amino acid and is known for its positive effect on female hormonal levels. For example, this study showed that girls who took fatty acids (including GLA) daily had significantly reduced PMS symptoms. Therefore, if you often experience premenstrual syndrome, you can try adding hemp seeds or oil to your diet.

Reason #5: Lots of different vitamins

Hemp seeds are also a source of vitamins. They mainly contain B vitamins: B1, B2, and B6. This plant is especially rich in vitamin B1: two tablespoons contain about 26% of the daily requirement of thiamine. It is necessary for the health of the nervous system, heart, and brain. Moreover, hemp contains antioxidants – vitamin C and vitamin E, but in small quantities.

Reason #6: High in minerals

In addition to all the above points, hemp seeds contain minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, manganese, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and zinc. For example, 30 grams of unpeeled hemp seeds contain approximately: 60% of the daily value of manganese, 34% magnesium, and 33% phosphorus. Manganese has many beneficial properties, including assistance in the absorption of all B vitamins, as well as vitamins C and E, which are found in hemp. Magnesium helps to synthesize fatty acids and proteins, relax muscles, and fight stress. Remember that all minerals have their own daily value. For example, the daily value of manganese is two to three milligrams (the maximum limit is around 11 milligrams), and the value of magnesium varies from 300 to 400 milligrams depending on the gender and age of the person. This is one of the reasons to control the amount of hemp seeds you consume – about 30 grams per day.

Reason #7: Easy addition to your usual food

With hemp seeds, everything is simple, since they can be consumed immediately. For example, include them in your breakfast, simply adding them to granola, smoothies or yogurt. Or you can supplement your daytime food by adding hemp seeds to a salad or seasoning a dish with hemp oil. The main thing here is to remember the measure. Do not consume more than two tablespoons of hemp seeds per day. If you prefer hemp oil to seeds, then you should remember one simple thing: it does not like high temperatures. When heated strongly, it loses nutrients and even changes its taste. Therefore, it is best to add it to salads, pesto, hummus, smoothies, or any other dishes that do not require heat treatment.

Hemp contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which make it a real superfood. It will be easy to add it to your diet and control its quantity without any problems. Therefore, hemp seeds and hemp oil can and should be included in your diet.