Hemp seeds are a nutritious plant-based protein source that provides many health benefits, including supporting digestion and heart health.
Quick Nutritional Summary of Hemp Seeds
100% Vegan
All essential Amino Acids
Complete Protein
Dairy-Free
Easy to Digest
Gluten-Free
High in Healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids
Nutritionists recommend two teaspoons of hemp seed protein in a morning smoothie to naturally encourage lower blood pressure, improve triglycerides, lower levels of LDL cholesterol and raise High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), the ‘good’ cholesterol. Studies show hemp seed protein can decrease blood pressure, lower possibility of blood clot formation and help heart health and recovery after a heart attack or cardiac episode. Hemp seed protein is an excellent source of arginine and gamma-linolenic acid, both related to decreased risk of heart disease.
The major constituents of hemp seed include easily digestible protein (20–25%), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), abundant lipids (25–35%) and carbohydrates (20–30%) high in insoluble fibre. Hemp seed protein is well-suited for human and animal consumption, consisting mainly of high-quality, easily digestible proteins edestin and albumin, which are abundant with essential amino acids. The rich source of PUFA, linoleic acid (LA; omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; omega-3), is favourable and regarded as balanced for human nutrition at a ratio of 3:1.
LA concentrations range from 64 to 72% of the total fatty-acid composition. This range can be a result of the variation of different hemp cultivars, cultivation techniques, as well as processing and storage conditions. These fatty acids must be acquired from the diet, as they are needed for proper nutrition but cannot be synthesised endogenously. Nutritional recommendations indicate that 15–20% of daily caloric intake should come from fats and approximately one-third of these fats should be essential fatty acids in a 3:1 ratio. It is estimated that this dietary goal can be met with three tablespoons of hemp seed oil.