Many, many blogs ago, we told you “The History of Hemp” (it’s okay if you don’t remember). In it, we discussed the origins of cannabis and how ancient Chinese medicine used hemp extensively. Hemp was not only used in medicines but also found its application in other fields.
But since then, hemp’s medicinal values have been coherently recognized by world medical experts. While marijuana got “decent” media coverage because of its high THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content, hemp remained in the backstage. Hemp has more use in industrial application like textiles, building materials and more. But as tides change, hemp seeds are gaining popularity for their medical values, and general people are becoming aware of its existence.
Today we share a bit more about what’s hidden in hemp seeds?
Hemp Seeds: New-Age Study
The primary reason why hippies stayed away from hemp, even though hemp and marijuana are both cannabis, is because of its low THC content. It practically gives you no high!
But the stigma remained until new-age studies and research brought to light the nutritional value of hemp seeds. Today, there exists no other plant that has the same nutrition content.
Hemp Seeds and its Nutritional Advantages
Hemp seeds offer these nutritional advantages:
Protein:
Three teaspoons of hemp seeds contain 9.47g of protein. They have all the vital amino acids which our body can’t produce on its own. Hemp seeds play a crucial role in vegan diets since few plant-based foods are a complete source of protein.
Natural Fiber:
There are tons of benefits of natural fiber. And hemp seed is a good source with three teaspoons containing 1.2g.
Fiber helps in:
- Weight management
- Stabilizing blood sugar levels
- Maintains healthy gut
- Reduces appetite
Vitamins and Minerals:
Hemp seeds have a right amount of vitamins and minerals with richness in:
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Unsaturated Fats:
Hemp seeds are an abundant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). They also help in maintaining a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 in your diet. Hemp seeds have no trans fats and low amount of saturated fats.
Hemp Seeds: Health Benefits
Hemp seeds and the oil extracted from them are used to alleviate many health issues like inflammation. Other health benefits are:
Healthy Skin
Since hemp seeds contain fatty acids and vitamins, its oil has excellent effects on the skin. Its continuous use protects the skin from inflammation, oxidation, etc.
Hemp seeds are also helpful in treating:
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Varicose eczema
- Lichen planus
- Acne rosacea
Pain Relief
People who do not intend to use over-the-counter pain medicines use hemp oil as natural pain relief. They are helpful in pain, particularly those due to inflammation.
Healthy Heart
A recent study in 2014 showed that increased levels of alpha-linolenic acid seem to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Hemp seeds have rich alpha-linolenic acid content.
Bottom Line
Hemp seeds have high nutrition content. With all these nutrients, hemp seeds seem to be an essential part of a healthy diet. So, keep the above knowledge in mind and introduce hemp seeds in your diet.
