The Hemp plant is not just a nutritional powerhouse, it is the plant kingdoms most sustainable and versatile resource. It means you’re never going to run out of the most balanced source of nutrition from the lap of nature.
Hemp seeds are the seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. Technically a nut, hemp seeds are very nutritious. They have a mild, nutty flavor and are often referred to as hemp hearts. There are many seeds that boast superfood status but few taste as fantastic as hemp hearts do.
Most people have heard of hemp seeds before but not necessarily hemp hearts. What’s the difference between hemp seeds vs hemp hearts?
Hemp hearts have had the hard outer shell removed. Removing the shell increases the overall percentage of protein and essential fatty acids, making hemp hearts an even more concentrated source of nutrients. Also, removing the shell makes them easier to digest.
Hemp hearts are nutty and sweet like pine nuts but offer a high amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids necessary for muscle and joint repair. Hemp hearts are rich in healthy fats and essential fatty acids. They are also a great protein source and contain high amounts of vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, calcium, iron and zinc.
They have a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which may benefit skin disease and provide relief from eczema and its uncountable symptoms. About 25% of the calories in hemp seeds come from protein. Three tablespoons (30 g) of hemp hearts contain around ten grams of protein — more than the amount found in a large boiled egg. Flax and chia seeds share the omega-3 benefits, but when they get wet, their mucilage fibre gets slippery and sticky.
What’s more, they contain all the essential amino acids, making them a complete protein source. Whole hemp seeds contain high amounts of fiber—both soluble and insoluble—which benefits digestive health. However, de-hulled or shelled hemp seeds contain very little fiber.
Health benefits of Hemp hearts
1) Improve heart health
They contain high levels of arginine, amino acid that turns into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is essential for artery and vein dilation, and it helps keep blood vessel walls smooth and elastic. They are rich in phytonutrients and anti-aging antioxidants such as vitamin E that protect the cardiovascular system from damage. Lowering blood pressure, eating a healthful diet, and participating in varied forms of exercise may help to decrease the risk of heart failure.
2) Provides Energy
Hemp hearts provide us with long lasting energy. The bonus here is that this energy is created without the use of stimulants or additives like caffeine, sugars, saturated fats, and fillers.
3) Reduce Muscle cramps
Hemp hearts are a rich source of magnesium that has been shown to reduce headaches and muscle cramps as the mineral is involved in proper muscle relaxation. Athletes are prone to magnesium loss from sweating, so adding hemp seeds to shakes can prevent post workout cramps. Hemp seeds also provide good amounts of zinc, calcium, manganese and iron. These minerals are important for repair of tissues and maintenance of the immune system.
4) Reduce inflammation
Hemp seeds contain an especially beneficial type of omega-6 fat called GLA that works in the body as an anti-inflammatory massager. GLA can decrease inflammation, and may help people suffering from eczema, arthritis and muscle pain. GLA also supports healthy hair, nail and skin health. Hemp hearts are also high in alpha linolenic acid, a type of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat that can reduce your risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
5) Weight loss
Hemp is fibre rich and a natural appetite suppressant, therefore it can help you feel full for longer and reduce hunger cravings. Simply adding four tablespoons of hemp seeds to your breakfast will help curb the excess hunger all day long.
6) Combat menopausal and PMS symptoms
Some studies suggest that hemp hearts may help with hormonal imbalances that cause menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and depression. They are also helpful for PMS symptoms due to its GLA and magnesium content. Hemp Hearts blended with blueberries make a great breakfast smoothie.
7) Help improve immunity
Hemp Hearts are high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA), a type of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fat that can improve immune function. The other nutrients in hemp seeds help ensure the fat is used effectively in the body. They also contain plant sterols, which are powerful immune modulators capable of reducing allergies, a cause of inflammation.
Want to know more benefits of hemp hearts? Watch this video below
Nutritional Benefits of Hemp Hearts
1) They’re a complete protein
Hemp hearts are one of the few plant-based complete sources of protein, meaning that they provide all nine essential amino acids necessary for our body to support healthy growth and development.
2) They’re high in fibre
Hemp hearts contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, which is important for promoting digestive health. Consuming enough fibre every day can:
reduce the appetite
help with weight management
work to stabilize blood sugar levels
promote the health of the gut
3) They’re antioxidant-rich and full of essential minerals
Full of vitamins A, C, and E, hemp hearts are bursting with antioxidants that can neutralize dangerous free radicals and prevent chronic disease. Potassium, zinc, magnesium, and iron, in particular, are all plentiful in hemp hearts. These are all crucial to different aspects of health, affecting everything from our immune system to our blood pressure.
4) Unsaturated fats
The health benefits of polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3 fatty acids, are becoming increasingly well known. The ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s is also important. In general, people tend to eat too many omega-6s and too few omega-3s, but adding hemp seeds to the diet may help to promote a balance.
Though hemp seeds have only recently become popular in the West, they’re a staple food in many societies and provide excellent nutritional value.
But what is the nutritional value of hemp seeds?
The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for 3 tablespoons (30g) of hemp hearts.
Calories 166
Protein 9.5g
Fat 15g
Sodium 0mg
Carbohydrates 2.6g
Fiber 1.2g
Sugar 0.5g
Hemp hearts are sprinkled on foods, pressed for oil, ground into protein powder and made into milk. Afraid of psychoactive effects? Don't be. While these small, pale-beige to dark-brown seeds form the edible part of the hemp plant (aka pot, ganja, weed, grass, Mary Jane, doobage), they don't contain THC, the active drug found in hemp leaf.
Today, more is becoming known about hemp’s health properties. Our partner organisation Hemplanet provides freshest, highest quality hemp hearts from field to table. Ready to eat right out of the container.
Hemp Hearts have a slightly nutty taste, similar to sunflower seeds or pine nuts. In its perfect organic natural state hemp seed ( by hemplanet) is considered by many to be the safest, most digestible, balanced, natural and complete source of protein, amino acids, and essential fats found anywhere in nature.
Specs & Highlights
100% raw organic cannabis sativa L. / hempseed.
Grown without pesticides
Contains no Genetically Modified Organisms (Non GMO)
Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. By taking steps to eat healthy, you'll be on your way to getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy, active, and strong. As with physical activity, making small changes in your diet can go a long way, and it's easier than you think.
Below are some tips to get you started:
You can add them to salads and as a garnish for side and main dishes.
Adding them to cereals (cold and hot) is another great way to take them in.
They are the perfect power-packed addition to smoothies, yoghurt, and more.
Take your baked goods up a nutritional notch by adding Hemp Hearts to things like cookies, breads, muffins, brownies and baked oatmeal. You will most likely forget that you even added them and can feel good knowing your delicious treat also has more protein, healthy fat, and iron than its regular counterpart.
For those who follow a gluten-free diet, using Hemp Hearts is a great alternative in places where wheat would typically be used like breadcrumbs, and granola.
Refrigerate or freeze Hemp Hearts to extend storage life
Watch the video below to make different, fast, easy and delicious recipes using
hemp hearts.
- Himalayan Hemp www,himalayanhemp.in
NOTE: Because hemp hearts and seeds do contain trace amounts of THC, if you are trying to conceive, are pregnant now or breast feeding, please talk with your doctor before adding hemp to your daily health and wellness regimen. Now that you know the benefits, it’s time to start eating healthy. Incorporating Hemp Hearts into foods consumed on a daily basis is an easy, cost effective, and natural way to help boost nutrition and daily intake of trace minerals such as magnesium.
Consider giving hemp hearts a try. You can buy it from their website www.hemplanet.in. If you want to know more about hemp planet, check this video here
If your interest lies in finding realistic and practical ways of environmental-friendly food/eating habits, you can experiment with your recipes by including Hemp hearts. Explore the possibilities of cooking and baking with Hemp Hearts beyond what you may have thought possible, and reap the nutritional benefits of the many key nutrients they have to offer.
If you make any recipe using hemp hearts by hemp planet, please leave a comment letting us know how it turned out and/or share a photo on social media so we can see your delicious creation. Just use the hashtag #himalayanhemp so we don’t miss it.