Hemp seeds stand out for having notable beneficial properties for the health of the body, but how can we fully exploit the advantages of this food? Here’s why we should include them in our diet and how to do it.
All The Properties Of Hemp Seeds
Sativa hemp seeds are the product of the plant of the same name that grows wild in Central Asia. Hemp, of which there are numerous varieties, has been known and used since ancient times, both for food use and to produce fabrics and other furnishings. If once, however, hemp seeds were considered a fairly poor product, today they have been widely re-evaluated and find several supporters, particularly among those who observe a vegan diet, thanks to their quantity of proteins and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Unlike another very widespread variety of hemp, the sativa one contains only a very small percentage of THC (i.e. that psychoactive substance whose sale is illegal), therefore it can be used without problems both in the food sector and to manufacture fabrics and clothes. Rich in omega 6 and omega 3, the seeds of this plant are used as a food supplement, thanks to the good quantity of nutrients contained within them.
They are characterized by having a complete amino acid profile, that is, they contain all eight so-called “essential” amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, valine, and tryptophan), which the body uses to initiate and support protein synthesis. This type of amino acid is defined as “essential” because it must necessarily be introduced through food, as the body is not able to synthesize them on its own, and for this reason, it is important to pay attention to having a varied and balanced diet so that the body can best complete protein synthesis.
Sativa hemp seeds also have other relevant properties: they have an excellent quantity of vitamins (in particular vitamin E, vitamin D, and group B vitamins ), and mineral salts (including magnesium, calcium, and potassium). Another fundamental characteristic of them, then, is that they contain various unsaturated fats: the omega 3 and omega 6 that characterize them are particularly useful for combating and preventing various diseases, furthermore they are present in a functional proportion to the well-being of the body.
Hemp seeds contribute to strengthening the immune system, while the abundant presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic, alpha-linoleic, and linolenic acid for approximately 75%, is important to guarantee the correct functioning of nervous receptors and muscles.
Also Read: What Are The Benefits Of Argan Oil For Hair And Face?
Why Use Hemp Seeds
Edible hemp seeds have important properties for our health. Thanks to the abundant presence of polyunsaturated fats, vitamins, mineral salts, and antioxidants, they help prevent :
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Hypertension
- Arteriosclerosis
- Arthrosis
- Skin diseases (eczema, acne, etc.)
- Respiratory pathologies (asthma, bronchitis, etc.)
- Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system
- Inflammatory reactions affecting muscles and other tissues
- High cholesterol and negative consequences associated with this condition. In fact, in the case of hypercholesterolemia, these seeds are useful for lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and blood pressure, stimulating correct metabolic function, improving circulation, and cardiovascular function, and strengthening the immune system.
Hemp seeds have food properties of considerable interest, they are also rich in fiber (particularly useful for those suffering from constipation) and proteins. They then help to positively modulate the absorption of sugars and fats, therefore they are suitable for all those who need to pay attention to cholesterol.
People who follow a vegetarian and vegan diet find particular benefits in consuming hemp seeds, as they provide significant quantities of mineral salts and micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, and potassium), including iron, which in this category of people may sometimes be in short supply. Furthermore, hemp seeds improve the beauty of the skin, nails, and hair and, thanks to the abundant presence of antioxidants contained within them, they also perform a contrasting action against free radicals.
Hemp Seeds: Nutritional Properties
100 grams of hemp seeds contain the following nutritional values:
- Energy: 2534 kJ (612 kcal)
- Fat: 51.7g (of which saturated fatty acids: 5.2g)
- Carbohydrates: 4.0g (of which sugars: 0.8g)
- Fibers: 4.8g
- Protein: 30.3g
- Salt: 0.2g
Hemp seeds are very caloric, so it is important not to overdo the portions and consume them as part of a balanced diet. There are no particular contraindications linked to the use of this food, other than the possibility of experiencing mild episodes of diarrhea if an excessive quantity is consumed.
How To Use Hemp Seeds In Cooking
Hemp seeds are widely used in the food sector as they are characterized by having a pleasant flavor and being easily digestible. They can be used raw to enrich salads and make them tastier, or they can be used to prepare biscuits, desserts, or other types of leavened dough. By grinding the seeds, flour is obtained, which is usually used to make baked goods, while in the vegan diet Hemp -hemp-fu is consumed, or tofu which is obtained from this food.
In Italian cuisine, hemp seeds are used to prepare sauces, while in Japan a mixture of spices is used, called Shichimi, which also contains sesame seeds, poppy seeds, nori seaweed, mandarin peels, black pepper, chili pepper, and which is used in the preparation of soups and rice-based dishes. From the seeds of this plant, another product is also obtained which, especially in recent years, has found widespread diffusion. This is hemp seed oil, which also contains several interesting properties. The latter, which is produced by cold-pressing hemp seeds, can be used raw to season salads and dishes and has a particularly aromatic taste reminiscent of hazelnut.
The composition of this oil reflects the typical fatty acid profile of the seeds from which it is obtained, with a significant prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the presence of other notable antioxidant and beneficial components such as phytosterols and tocopherols ( vitamin E ). By these characteristics, it has proven to be a powerful antioxidant for the skin, capable of reducing wrinkles and activating a hydrating, antioxidant, and regenerating action for the tissues.