CBD Blog – The Benefits of Hemp Seeds – Hemp in Baltimore, MD – Hemp in Lutherville Timonium, MD – Hemp in Towson, MD
Let’s explore the benefits of Hemp and Hemp Seeds.
Hemp is one of the most versatile plants that exist. In addition to the vital role it plays in the CBD industry, hemp can be used to make over 25,000 different products! From hemp hearts to hemp seed milk to oil to cheese substitutes to even hemp-based protein powder – if that’s not impressive enough, some even suggest that hemp could help end world hunger. How? It all comes down to hemp’s seeds, which contain a powerhouse of essential nutrients that the human body needs.
If you’re interested in eating healthier, hemp seeds should be at the top of your shopping list. Not only can you snack on them right out of the bag, but they can be added to all kinds of different foods you eat every day!
Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are so good for you that many consider them a superfood. As they are rich in essential fatty acids, protein, fiber, and more, the health benefits of hemp seeds exceed all expectations.
With a taste comparable to earthy pine nuts, they can be eaten right out of the bag as a healthy snack. You can also add hemp seeds to a variety of dishes or drinks like smoothies or use one of the ready-made products, such as hemp milk, which also makes the hemp plant a go-to substitute for many vegans.
If you’ve been on the fence about hemp seeds, check out the following ways consuming them can boost your health and benefit your wellbeing.
1. Hemp Seeds Are Packed with Nutrients
Hemp seeds aren’t considered a superfood without reason! These tiny seeds contain a powerhouse of nutritional benefits.
For starters, they’re an excellent source of plant-based protein as more than 25% of their total calories come from these nutrients.
They’re also loaded with several of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, including vitamin E, B-vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, sulfur, and iron.
Perhaps one of the most significant benefits is their extraordinarily high content of good-for-you fats (over 30%), which includes an almost perfectly balanced ratio of two essential fatty acids – omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (such as alpha-linolenic acid).
Aside from omegas, hemp seeds also contain a high concentration of gamma-linolenic acid, known to support several functions throughout the body. It may help treat high blood pressure, inflammation, and skin problems – among other things.
2. Hemp Seeds Might Benefit Heart Health
Heart diseases affect more people than you might think; according to CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death among people of all genders and racial and ethnic groups in the US. Every 36 seconds in the US, one person dies from cardiovascular disease.
While statistics like these can be scary, there are numerous things you can do to minimize the risk of developing heart disease. Following a diet rich in heart-healthy foods is among the most effective preventative measures. And hemp seeds have some powerful heart health benefits.
How can a hemp seed be so beneficial for heart health? The answer is essential fatty acids and essential amino acids.
A big part of it comes down to the high concentration of the amino acid arginine that produces nitric oxide in the body. This gas molecule helps blood vessels dilate and relax, potentially decreasing the risk of developing heart disease.
The gamma-linolenic acid (one of the healthy fats) in hemp seeds can also help reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of developing heart disease. As such, adding hemp seeds to your meals and drinks seems like a reasonable thing to do.
3. Could Aid Digestive Health
Whole hemp seeds (not to be mistaken with de-shelled or hulled hemp seeds) could positively impact digestive health because of their high amount of fiber. Shelled hemp seeds contain around 20% soluble and 80% insoluble fiber, making them an excellent source of the dietary fiber we need to keep our digestive health strong.
Why is fiber so important for digestive health?
Soluble fiber is a source of nutrients for beneficial digestive bacteria. It’s also known to help moderate cholesterol levels and has shown to reduce spikes in blood sugar, offering a bonus to overall health.
Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, supports regular, healthy bowel movements. Not only does it help food waste pass more easily through the gut, but it also adds bulk to bowel movements.
Keep in mind that a lot of the fiber hemp seeds contain is found in their protective outer shell. As such, hulled hemp seeds, sometimes referred to as hemp hearts, have far less fiber than the whole hemp seeds.
4. Could Benefit Women With Menopause and PMS
Did you know that around 80% of women suffer from symptoms of PMS during their monthly cycle? The emotional and physical ups and downs associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle may be triggered by a sensitivity to the hormone prolactin, which is highest during ovulation or the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Research shows that the gamma-linolenic acid found in hemp seeds can help reduce prolactin levels. One study showed that women with PMS who took one gram of essential fatty acids a day, which consisted of 210mg of gamma-linoleic acid and other EFAs, noticed a remarkable reduction in the experienced symptoms, including irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.
While it’s not fully understood how GLA benefits menopause, the gamma-linolenic acid in hemp seeds might help menopausal women as well.
5. Hemp Seed Oil is Excellent for Skin
The hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds and happens to be a boon for stressed-out skin. It’s believed that the beneficial properties hemp seeds contain could help promote healthy skin.
So, how can you exactly help someone with skin problems by giving hemp seed oil to them?
It all comes down to the essential fatty acid content found in hemp seeds, which can positively influence physical responses in the body. Studies conducted among people with skin problems have shown to increase essential fatty acid levels in the blood.
While lotions, serums, and other skin potions are great for skin, making dietary changes has been shown to significantly boost skin health. Typically, this comes down to eating nutrient-rich, whole foods compared to highly processed foods. Many processed foods can act as triggers for various skin issues.
While eating hemp seeds alone might not necessarily clear up skin issues, eating a well-balanced diet that includes hemp seeds and avoiding processed fatty foods and carbs could help keep your skin looking vibrant.
6. Hemp Seeds Might Help Balance the Body
Imbalances in the body can lead to a number of wellness issues that can keep us from feeling our best. When imbalances occur, we often feel unwell, or at least off our game.
Hemp seeds might help.
Because of their almost perfectly balanced ratio of omega-3s to omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seeds can help bring balance and promote homeostasis in the body. The high level of gamma-linolenic acid in hemp seeds is also suggested to play a role in the beneficial effects.
The health benefits these tiny hemp seeds contain are quite impressive, and adding them to your diet could prove to be highly advantageous for your wellbeing. They do, after all, contain almost every nutrient you need to thrive, including essential amino acids and healthy fats.
What’s great is that you can easily find hemp seeds to include in your diet. Whether added to a CBD superfood smoothie or eaten as a simple snack right out the bag, hemp seeds are certainly something to consider when choosing the best foods to boost your health and feel the best you possibly can.
Sources:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2013/05/29/industrial-hemp-a-win-win-for-the-economy-and-the-environment/#691bf262289b
- https://joyorganics.com/how-to-eat-hemp-seeds/
- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170148/nutrients
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21241460
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21069097
- http://www.skintherapyletter.com/dermatology/diet-change-treatment-skin-disease/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4975646/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323037
- https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
