True or false? Hemp, (Cannabis sativa) is the source of the drugs marijuana and hashish. The answer is false. They're actually derived from Cannabis indica (same family, different plant). The fact that hemp is a valuable food source of a veritable list of foodstuffs comes as a surprise to many. Products made from hemp seed oil and flour include: cheese, pasta, cereal, ice cream, paint, and beer, with new products being developed every day. Although these items are fairly new, hemp's usefulness is as old as mankind, with its cultivation being recorded by many great ancient civilizations.
Hemp is extremely versatile. For starters, it contains all the essential amino acids in a balanced ratio, making it a high-quality source of protein, better than that found in other seeds, nuts, dairy products, meat, fish, or poultry. Hemp-based foods also have a high concentration of the antioxidants alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol. Both the seeds and oils are excellent sources of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids in a beneficial ratio of 3:1, along with two special EFAs: gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA), which is rarely found in plant oils.
Hemp for Skin and Hair
EFAs - especially GLA, are critical to healthy skin, making hemp oil a highly beneficial ingredient in skin and hair care products. Its unique lipid constituents allow it to permeate skin and to nourish skin cells.
Hemp for Heart Support
Hemp's high omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid content and relatively high phytosterol content support cardiovascular health. Numerous human and animal studies show that substituting saturated fats with polyunsaturated ones reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as lowering blood cholesterol levels and decreasing risk of artherosclerosis.
Hemp for Cancer prevention
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially GLA, help treat various human cancers. Studies show that phytosterols may protect against colon, breast and prostate cancers.
Hemp for Joint Care
GLA is effective for rheumatoid arthritis and active synovitis. Hemp's GLA and vitamin D content make them beneficial in preventing and treating osteoporosis.
Hemp for Mental Health
The right balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids helps delay or reduce Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. One study showed that a fatty acid preparation practically identical to that found in hemp oil improved the quality of life of Alzheimer's patients.
Want To Add More Hemp To Your diet?
- Sprinkle toasted hemp seeds over fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, soups and salads.
- Mix ground seeds into ground beef when making meatballs or pasta sauce.
- Replace 1/4 to 1/2 of the flour requirement in muffin and bread recipes with hemp flour.
