Why are Hemp Seeds Essential for Health? Health Benefits and Delicious Recipes

20th March 2015

By Trinity Bourne

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

Hemp is one of the most versatile plants on the planet. It is an amazing gift of nature, can produce high quality clothing, textiles, paper, food and while we’re at it – you can even build a house with it! As a bonus, it is also naturally resistant to pests, so it doesn’t require harmful pesticides even when grown on a commercial scale. As a food, hemp seeds have an abundance of health benefits. This article explores why we should most certainly be embracing this incredible super-food.

Hemp versus marijuana

If you’ve been on the conscious eating path for any length of time, then you may already know that hemp seeds sold for kitchen use contain a completely insignificant amount of THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gets people ‘high’)… just in case you wondered.  Hemp and marijuana are essentially completely different varieties of the same plant species. So if you are concerned, then rest assured, there will be no getting high on culinary approved hemp seed!

Why is hemp so good for us?

Hemp is one of the most amazing plants to support human health that exists on our planet. It’s brimming with nutrients, so much so, that I make a point of incorporating it regularly into my already super healthy plant-based diet.

Protein Power Super Star

Hemp is one of the most complete proteins in the plant food kingdom, containing ALL 21 known amino acids, including the 9 that humans are unable to produce themselves. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Protein is essential for basic bodily functions; it helps to build new cells whilst looking after the tissues within your body (which lets face it, is pretty essential). Protein is responsible for making neurotransmitters, the essential internal messaging service that sends the signals around your body to make it function. Hemp comes up top for protein power and is well recognised as a super-food by those seeking a healthy protein source.

Perfect balance of omega essential fats

‘Essential’ means that the body can’t produce these fats itself, so it requires dietary input. Hemp contains nature’s perfect ratio (3:1) of omega 3 to omega 6 essentially fatty acids. This is a unique accomplishment in the plant world. These compounds have been shown to have a particularly beneficial effect on our health. Hemp seeds are one of the few plant-based sources of omega 3 (other sources include walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds).

GLA (gamma linolenic acid)

Hemp is an excellent source of GLA. This is a really special omega 6 fatty acid, that is also found in borage, evening primrose and black currant seeds. It has been shown to help people with skin disorders, PMS, menopause, cancer, heart disease, arthritis and has good anti-inflammatory benefits.

Hempseed oil and skin disorders

Studies have shown that hemp seed oil can help with skin disorders. I found one study concluding that improvement in cholesterol levels and improved symptoms of atopic dermatitis were directly related to the dietary consumption of hempseed oil. It was suggested that this may be because of the abundance of PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in hempseed oil.

CONTINUE READING:

More articles by Trinity Bourne:

• 10 Reasons Why We all Should be Eating Ginger – Recipes Included
• Top Tips for Making Deliciously Healthy Salads
• No-Bake Carrot Cake Recipe (Gluten Free & Vegan)
• The Health Benefits of Beetroot – Recipes Included
• The Importance of Eating Seeds for a Healthy Diet – Tips, Benefits & Recipes
• Global Animal Industries – the Ghosts in Our Machine
• Foraging Guide – with 12 Nutritious Wild Plants That Anyone Can Find
• Keeping Slugs & Snails Off Your Veggies – Compassionately
• Chocolate Paradise Coconut Bar Recipe – Vegan, Raw, Absolutely Delicious!
• The Superfood Health Benefits of Celery (with Recipes!)

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