Why Hemp Seeds Should Be in Your Diet

by Aviva Natural Health Solutions September 27, 2013

Maggie Park

Like blueberries and green tea, hemp seeds are considered one of the "super foods." Yet most people have never heard of eating hemp seeds and don't understand how revolutionary this food is to bodies that are constantly barraged by packaged, processed, and preserved foods.

What Is Hemp Seed?

Hemp seeds come from the industrial hemp plant, which is not the same as the marijuana plant that is grown for its tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp seeds are also called hemp nuts for their nutty flavour that resembles that of sunflower seeds or pine nuts. Actually, like sunflower seeds, a hemp seed is an achene, a dry fruit surrounded by a hard shell. Hemp seeds are an extremely healthy addition to anyone's diet.

Benefits of Hemp Seeds

The most commonly referenced hemp seed benefit is the seed's heart healthy attributes. This benefit comes from the perfect ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In fact, hemp seeds have the highest natural source of essential fatty acids. Eating hemp seeds either as a hulled seed or as a hemp seed product, such as hemp oil or hemp milk, helps reduce inflammation and achieve healthy cholesterol levels.

Probably the second most popular reason to ingest hemp seeds is due to their protein profile. These little seeds contain all 20 amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids. These amino acids together make hemp seeds a perfect product for vegetarians, vegans, dieters, and even body builders.

Many additional benefits accompany the heart healthy and protein rich attributes of hemp seeds:

• Eating hemp seeds can contribute to healthy weight loss while maintaining sustained or even increased energy.
• Eating hemp seeds helps control blood sugar.
• Eating hemp seeds may help alleviate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and even menopause.
• Eating hemp seeds can help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation.
• Eating hemp seeds may help speed up recovery from injury or illness. Some research even indicates that hemp seeds can protect from autoimmune symptoms.
• Hemp seeds are gluten-free.
• Hemp seeds are full of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and copper.
• Hemp seeds are loaded with phytonutrients and antioxidants.

Hemp seeds have so many health benefits that many experts suggest incorporating them into your diet every day. With so many products made from this wonderful seed, it's easy to add this power food to your routine. Just a few tablespoons each day can make a dramatic difference in your body's overall cellular health.

Related Products: See MM Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil and Cannanda CB2 Hemp Seed Oil.