Photo by Canvast Supply Co. on Unsplash
So we know that cannabis is a wonder plant for a number of reasons. But other than getting you high and helping with a bunch of medical issues it can also be a superfood. Hemp, as you probably know, has a million uses. It can be used for clothing, paper, beauty products and now we know it’s super good for your body too. Over the past few years we have been finding all sorts of new and exciting uses for hemp and hemp seeds. They are especially beneficial for vegans who might find it harder to keep up with all the nutrients that we need and normally have to buy supplements or eat huge amounts of one food type.
Does Eating Hemp Seeds Get You High?
Before we start talking about the benefits of hemp seeds let’s make sure that we are completely clear on what they do and don’t do. For example, some people might insist that hemp seeds can still get you high when eaten. Obviously, this isn’t true and doesn’t really make any sense. The amount of THC found in hemp seeds is extremely low and you’re not going to get stoned from eating them.
What Are The Benefits Of Hemp?
So there are a number of benefits to eating hemp seeds and hemp. They should be pretty easy to come by as well as being easy to incorporate into your diet. Let’s have a look at why we should all be eating hemp seeds.
High Protein
So obviously if we are talking about vegetarian or vegan diets one of the main concerns is getting enough protein. Hemp seeds have as much protein as soybeans, one of the staples of a non meat diet. They contain all 9 essential amino acids so they are a complete source of protein rather than just good for a protein boost. I would also definitely argue that they are easier to incorporate into food than entire beans which makes them very attractive to me, I’m not much of a bean based vegetarian.
Rich In Vitamin E and Fibre
These tasty little seeds are completely packed to the brim with nutrients which can be handy for those who find it hard to get enough vitamins without supplements. So for those who are either trying to manage their weight, just eat more healthily or struggle to balance their diet hemp seeds are a great addition. Since they are not only full of protein but nutrients they will help meals keep you fuller for longer and will also give you a good source of slow-release energy.
Hemp Can Reduce Symptoms of PMS And Menopause
So this helpful aspect of hemp is down to the omega fatty acids that the seeds contain. One study showed that hemp seeds helped to reduce hot flashes in menopausal women by about 33% over 6 months. They can also reduce bloating and other forms of discomfort experienced during your cycle. I know that I usually have pretty bad tummy problems during my time of the month so I’m definitely going to be giving these guys a go.
Heart Health
One of the things that makes hemp a superfood is its effect on the heart. This is again down to omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which are fantastic for heart health. Usually the walls of the arteries harden and become clogged over time but getting plenty of these fatty acids in your diet will help to keep them smooth and stretchy. They can also help to lower blood pressure and overall reduce your risk of heart disease.
Healthy Skin
Many believe that eating hemp seeds can also be great for problem skin. They can even make a difference to actual skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. It is believed that hemp can make a genuine difference to skin problems without giving the same negative side effects that medication can. This is the only one I’m a little sceptical about. Sure it makes sense for hemp seeds to improve skin overall because it’s giving you the nutrients etc that you might be missing. However, for serious skin disorders I would definitely recommend speaking to your doctor instead of just horking down hemp.
The Risks Of Hemp
Like anything else there are going to be some potential risks to eating too much hemp.
Drug Tests
One such risk being if you are in a profession where you are going to have your urine drug tested. Though hemp can’t get you high it will register in a drug test especially if you’re eating it all the time.
Diuretic
Hemp seeds can also act as a diuretic which simply means that it will drain liquid from your body faster, basically it’ll make you pee a lot. When you’re incorporating hemp into your diet make sure that you increase your water intake and stay hydrated.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant then you will definitely want to ask your doctor before you start eating hemp. Though it’s likely going to be safe this completely depends on the amount you’re eating and your body so a professional medical opinion is always a good idea.
Digestion
Though hemp can be great for digestion it can also cause issues for those who already have gut issues. It can cause diarrhoea if eaten too much especially by those who already suffer from IBS and similar problems. Basically they just contain a lot of fibre and for some that can be a lot.
Conclusion
Hemp is undoubtedly a superfood and can be a really healthy addition to your diet. However, like anything that is extremely rich in nutrients, fibre etc it can have surprising effects on your body. If you are at all unsure about how hemp will affect your body then just talk to your doctor about the best way to either include it or potentially avoid it all together. However, if you are confident that your body won’t freak out when given a new source of goodness, come back next time when I’ll give you all sorts of great hemp based recipes.
Written by Tasha Porritt
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