Hemp Nutrition
Since thinking through the CBD Oil, hemp has stayed in my thoughts.
What are the other health benefits hemp can provide?
A hemp seed is technically a nut (sometimes referred to as a hemp heart) and comes with an amazing nutritional profile.
It has high levels of protein and contains all the essential amino acids, making it, weight for weight, on a par protein wise with beef. It also outshines chia and flaxseed when it comes to protein so as part of an anti-cancer, high plant-based diet, hemp seed is a useful choice.
What’s more it is also more easily digested than other choices of grains and seeds. Adding to hemp superfood status is the fact that it contains a perfect ratio (3:1) of omega 3 to omega 6. The combination of these essential fatty acids plus gamma linolenic acid (GLA) gives it a high anti-inflammatory profile and makes it protective of the brain and the heart and a potential hormone regulator.
Hemp seed is a good source of anti-cancer antioxidants such as vitamin E, tocopherol and phytol.
Phytol has been shown to have potent antiproliferative activity against certain cancer cell lines by inducing cell death (ref).As with other seeds and grains, hemp provides plenty of soluble and insoluble fibre to keep our gut healthy, balanced and regular.
It can also help to control blood sugar and cholesterol balance.
Great ways to use hemp seeds is in smoothies, as a porridge, as a meat replacement and in our delicious hemp, nut and cacao balls.
Of course hemp is part of the cannabis species but only contains a trace amount of the psychoactive compound THC.
However there has been increasing evidence to show that this compound may be beneficial to health thus potentially providing these seeds with an even greater health edge.
