Hemp seeds, oil, and other byproducts of the plant have been dated back as far as 6000 BCE and beyond (1). Hemp seeds in particular have seen a rise in popularity due to their nutrition and health benefits. With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill which federally legalized hemp growth, the hemp food market will only expand moving forward.
Hemp Seeds
One tablespoon of hemp seeds contains 9.47 grams of protein, vitamin C, vitamin E, 14.62 grams of fat, and has been found to have various health benefits (1). Hemp seeds have been linked to a decrease in heart disease due to the high amounts of arginine which help lower blood pressure (1).
Hemp seeds can be consumed raw, cooked, or roasted and have been linked to the following health benefits:
- Hormone balance
- Improved organ function
- Reduced PMS systems
- Boosted energy levels
- Helping with digestive
Hemp Seed Oil and CBD oil
Hemp seed oil is created by pressing hemp seeds creating a nutritious green colored oil free of THC. It is very high in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid’s as well as vitamin E. CBD oil can be extracted from hemp or cannabis and has proven anti-inflammatory effects and also does not contain and psychoactive compounds (1) .
Hemp Tea
Created by soaking dried hemp leaves or toasted hemp seeds, hemp tea is another popular method of hemp as a food product. It has been found to help with insomnia, anxiety, stress, easing nausea, and decreasing inflammation. Hemp tea does contain CBD, but it is recommended to add a source of fat, such as milk, as CBD is hydrophobic which means it tends to repel water (1).
Other Hemp Food Products
Hemp is incredibly versatile and the oil and seeds can be cooked into almost any form. Other popular hemp food products include:
- Hemp Protein Powder
- Flavored Water
- Milk
- Seed Butter
- Beer
- Flour
- And even hot dogs!
Hemp continues to become a versatile product within the food industry and this will most likely only increase with the passing of the farm bill.
*Disclosure statement: This post is purely informational. iHEMPx, and its partners, make no guarantees, nutritional advice, or health claims regarding the health benefits of CBD. While the information in this post is from scientific studies, it is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease.