There is a lot of ignorance and confusion about hemp seeds, and many people do not consume them for fear of ingesting psychoactive substances. But the reality is quite different since hemp seeds and oils have been consumed for thousands of years for nutritional purposes.
Hemp is one of the plants derived from hemp and, in fact, it has many uses, since it is used to produce various products, such as biofuels, industrial and textile fabrics, clothing, bags, and even ropes and climbing ropes (such as those used by firefighters). Its seed is used to make massage oils and edible oils, as well as protein powder, which is much sought after by vegan athletes.
Although its name gave it a bad reputation, its seeds (also called hemp seeds) do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive substance of another plant derived from hemp.
These seeds are highly nutritious, and stand out mainly for the following points:
1 – High content of high-quality protein.
Hemp seeds contain about 23% protein, a little more than most legumes or nuts. In addition, it is a complete protein, with all the essential amino acids, and is easy to digest. Protein is a very important macronutrient for health, and even more so for athletes.
2 – Very low carbohydrate content
This makes them good food to eat when we want to reduce body fat and have a low-carbohydrate diet.
3 – Omega 3-6 Ratio that promotes health
Hemp seeds are one of the greatest plant sources of Omega 3 and 6 fats, and in a 3/1 ratio (three parts Omega 6 to one part Omega 3), which is a very good ratio. This is important since nowadays much more Omega 6 is consumed than 3 (about 20/1) which, together with other healthy lifestyle choices, helps to reduce the risk or symptoms of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and even reduce mortality in cardiovascular diseases by 70% (1).
4 – They are excellent to satiate hunger and therefore can help reduce body fat.
These seeds have an ideal combination to feel satisfied after eating due to their high fiber content (more than 30% in the case of whole seeds), their proteins – which, consumed in quantity, decrease ghrelin levels (a hormone that induces hunger) – and their healthy fats, whose intake increases cholecystokinin (CCK) levels, a hormone that produces a satiety effect.
In short, adding hemp seeds to our salads or any other dish will make us feel more satisfied which, in turn, can help us control the calories we eat. If you are searching for what is hemp oil, you may want to check out Oklahoma cannabis for more information.
5 – Great choice for athletes
Containing high amounts of protein, hemp seeds are a good food to include in the diet of any athlete who needs a high protein intake. In this case, it is best to consume them in powdered form, which provides about 50% protein of very good quality, in addition to containing essential fatty acids.
6 – They contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Hemp seeds are also rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E; minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron; carotene (source of vitamin A) and cysteine (an amino acid that acts as an antioxidant).
How to consume them
The seeds come whole or peeled, and you can eat them as a snack, sprout them, make vegetable drinks, toast them in the oven, or add them to salads, cookies, and other dishes to taste.
