Not too long ago, a good friend turned me on to his favourite post-workout deal with: a smoothie combined with a spoonful of floor hemp seeds. He mentioned that the hemp seeds are stuffed with protein, which makes them very best for post-workout restoration.

Intrigued, I made a decision to do some reconnaissance. It seems he’s proper: hemp seeds do, in actual fact, comprise loads of protein—two egg whites’ value in simply two tablespoons. They’re additionally one of many few meals within the plant world that comprise all 9 important amino acids, that are essential for protein synthesis as a result of our our bodies can’t make them on their very own. In different phrases, hemp seeds might be thought-about “full proteins” like meat, poultry, eggs, or dairy—besides, in contrast to these meals, they’re vegan.

However you don’t must comply with a vegan weight loss plan to get pleasure from the advantages of consuming hemp seeds. Why be constrained by foolish labels? In spite of everything, hemp seeds are additionally wealthy in omega-3 and omega-6, and research have proven that growing our consumption of these essential fatty acids will help forestall all kinds of stuff we don’t need, like arthritis, most cancers, and even pimples. And talking of pores and skin well being, hemp seeds additionally comprise vitamin E, which everyone knows will help hydrate and regenerate the pores and skin. They’re additionally stuffed with a ton of important minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfur, iron, and zinc.

A quick historical past of hemp

Hemp seeds come from the Hashish sativa plant—sure, the identical plant that produces these notorious fragrant buds. However you’d must eat a ton of hemp seeds to get excessive from them—the quantity of THC they comprise is too negligible to supply psychoactive results.

Hashish, or hemp, is native to Central Asia and its seeds have lengthy been consumed as meals in Russia and China; their taste is delicate, sort of like a sunflower seed. Immediately, this very tall annual plant (it may well attain heights as much as 23 toes!) is cultivated to supply extra than simply meals, edible oil, and medicinal compounds; it’s additionally used for textiles, paper, animal feed, bioplastics, biofuels, and cosmetics. And right here’s a cute tidbit you might love: they’re typically additionally referred to as “hemp hearts.”

The advantages of consuming hemp seeds

There are loads of causes to eat hemp seeds—and a few medical doctors even say they make the final word snack. “Hemp seeds are tasty, dietary powerhouses packed stuffed with protein, fiber, good ratios of wholesome fat, and even key minerals like magnesium,” explains Stephen Dahmer, MD, Director on the Andrew Weil Middle for Integrative Medication. He recommends consuming hemp seeds over packaged, processed snacks and he likes that you could even make an joke about their origins. “When your coworkers ask you what you’re consuming, you’ll be able to say ‘an edible,’” he laughs.

Jokes apart, the advantages of consuming hemp seeds are critically spectacular. Along with all that plant protein and the opposite advantages talked about above, right here’s a peek at a couple of extra: