Hempseeds for Health

Hempseed (Cannabis sativa) is a member of the Cannabaceae  (Hemp) Family and one of the oldest cultivated plants on the planet. Most people are aware of the multiple uses of hemp, including fiber, fuel, paper, medicine, and that it helps reclaim marginal soil and can easily be grown without chemicals. Here we will explore the wonders of the seed as a super food.

Hempseed is really akin to a nutrient dense grain, though it contains no gluten and is not in the Poaceae (Grass) Family that grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut fall into. Hempseeds can be useful in special diets where people have intolerances to dairy, soy, corn and gluten, as it is easily tolerated and digestible. 

Hempseed’s flavor is sweet and mild and somewhere between a sunflower seed and pine nut. Hempseed is the highest source of vegetable protein, next to soy, yet easier to digest and unlikely to cause allergic reactions and is not from genetically modified plants, which is common with soy and corn. Hempseed, unlike soybeans are free of the anti-nutrient factor trypsin inhibitors, which impair protein assimilation and oligosaccharides, which can cause gas. 

The protein available in hempseed contains all nine essential amino acids, with high amounts of the sulfur containing amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are often lacking in a vegetarian diet. 

Essential fatty acids are considered the good fats. They are essential because they are needed for human health and are not manufactured by our cells and must come from food.  Essential fatty acids (EFAs) assist in the digestion of fats and are a part of all cell membranes. They contribute to the luster in one's hair, skin and eyes as well as optimum mental functioning.  Alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) is also known as omega 3. It is found in canola, flax, hemp, soy, walnut, and in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and purslane.  

Linoleic acid, is also known as  omega 6, and is present in corn oil, flax,  hemp, sesame, soybean, sunflower oil, safflower, walnut and cottonseed oil.  It aids in the production of red blood pigment, also known as hemoglobin. 

Hempseed is about thirty percent oil and rich in omega 3’s and 6’s, in the correct proportions, but also  GLA  (gamma linoleic acid). GLA is not present in flax, sunflower, sesame or safflower oils. Hemp oil has a somewhat longer shelf life than flax.   

Hemp seed is also rich in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that helps protect the oils from rancidity and prevents free radical damage. Hemp seed also contains carotene, a natural precursor to vitamin A, which strengthens mucus membranes and is needed for vision. Hempseeds also contain choline - needed for nerve impulses from the brain through the nervous system, inositol - needed for hair growth, reducing cholesterol levels, preventing arterial hardening and is calming to the nervous system, lecithin - a type of lipid found in the protective sheaths surrounding the brain and nervous system which also aids in the breakdown of fats and enhances liver activity and enzymes (lipase, maltase, emulsin, linamarase, mylase, urease, nuclease, erepsin, tryptase and catalase) - which assist in virtually all of the body's functions including food digestion,  phytosterols - which affect cholesterol absorption and are sometimes described as "plant hormones. "

Hempseed is high in minerals such as phosphorus - needed for cell growth, kidney function, heart contraction and bone formation, potassium- which supports the nervous system and regular heart rhythm and with the help of sodium aids in the body's balance of water, magnesium - needed for nerve and muscle message transmission, sulphur- helping the body resist bacterial invasion and protecting against toxic substances and calcium - needed for strong teeth, bones, nerve impulse and regular heartbeat as well as moderate amounts of iron  - helping in the production of red blood cells and energy and zinc - needed for a healthy reproductive system, the male prostate gland, improves wound healing times and immune strength.  

Hempseed give nutritional density, texture and flavor to whatever they are added to. Hempseed can be used to make meat -like dishes, cheese, tofu, milk, ice cream and butter. Hempseeds can be sprinkled on cereal, salads, soups or made into desserts. It would be impossible to think of a food source other than hempseed that can provide such an important and wide range of health giving nutrients!