Hemp is a plant that belongs to the same family as marijuana, but it does not contain THC, which is the ingredient in marijuana that gets you high. Hemp is derived from the stalks and stems of the plants that are used to make things like rope, clothing, and paper. It's been around for thousands of years and has been used all over the world as an industrial crop.
Until recently, hemp products for consumption were not legal in Australia however this did not stop health enthusiasts benefiting from hempās nutritional qualities. Many companies would market their hemp products as skin and beauty to get around this law, with hemp protein and hemp seeds being sold as moistures and bath products. This is has since changed, and hemp seeds and hemp protein can now be sold and advertised for their amazing health benefits for internal consumption.
Hemp seeds are a good source of protein and fibre, making them an excellent addition to your diet. Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids, which means they can be used as a complete protein source. In fact, hemp seed protein is considered to be among the highest quality proteins on earth!
One serving of hemp seed offers 11 grams of easily digestible plant based protein that is rich in arginine (an amino acid) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA helps maintain healthy brain function as well as normal growth patterns during pregnancy and childhood development. Hemp seeds also contain high levels of vitamins D2 and D3 ā two fat soluble vitamins that promote calcium absorption for healthy teeth and bones.
Hemp is a natural vegan source of essential fats, protein and minerals. Hemp seeds, which are sometimes called hemp hearts, are rich in omegas 3, 6 and 9. These omegas provide anti inflammatory support for over all health, immune regulation and cognitive function. Gamma-linoleic acid (omega 9) found in hemp is particularly beneficial for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as well as balancing hormones for PMS and menopausal support. As essential fatty acids can not be synthesised in the body, the amount in your cells is directly related to what you obtain through diet. Unfortunately, most of the population in the western world consume well below the recommended intake of essential fatty acids. In particular, vegans and vegetarians often struggle to meet their omega 3 needs through diet alone. Another benefit of hemp is that it contains a good amount of plant based protein, along with containing natural sources of vitamin e, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. Adding hemp powder to your morning smoothie for example, will supercharge your diet with essential nutrients, fats and protein for a healthy body, more energy and glowing skin.
While whey provides more protein per gram, hemp protein has the additional benefit of providing essential fats, minerals and dietary fibre, making hemp protein a more complete health supplement. Hemp protein may also be preferred in those with an intolerance to whey protein, or those on a low FODMAP diet, as some vegan protein sources such as pea and rice can aggregate IBS symptoms in those that are sensitive. Hemp protein is a great alternative if you have a food intolerances, or are simply wanting to change up your protein sources. This is especially important in a vegan and vegetarian diet, as variety is the key to sustaining a healthy diet to ensure all nutrient requirements are being met. As a vegan, I am always mindful of my omega intake and I find that the easiest way to ensure that I am meeting my daily recommended amount is by adding hemp protein to my smoothie. That way, I know that my body is getting all the essentials with minimal effort.
Hemp and pea protein are both plant based proteins that have many of the same benefits. For example, both are easily digested by the body and contain all essential amino acids, which means they provide a complete source of protein. They also have a similar taste and texture, so it's easy to substitute one for the other in recipes. However, there are a few key differences between these two types of plant based protein powders that you should know about before deciding which one is right for your needs. Let's take a look at their nutritional profiles.
Hemp protein contains more fibre than pea protein - 6 grams per serving versus 1 gram. It also has more omega 3s (2.1 grams) and is higher in iron (3.3 milligrams). Hemp is also lower in calories and fat, with just 35 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving compared to pea's 30 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving.
Pea protein is higher in lysine than hemp, which is important for muscle growth and repair. It also contains more branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) than hemp does - 4 grams compared to 3 grams. BCAAs help with muscle recovery after workouts, so if you're looking for something that will give your muscles a boost after weightlifting or HIIT training, pea might be better suited for you than hemp would be
Hemp oil is a good source of healthy fats, including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Omega 3s are great for your heart, while omega 6s can be beneficial to your skin. Hemp oil also contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which studies have shown helps with inflammation and skin conditions like psoriasis.
Hemp seed oil is the more neutral tasting cousin of hemp seed powder, which can have a bitter taste. It's a great addition to salad dressings, smoothies, and other recipes where you want a nutty flavour without the crunchiness of nuts. Hemp seed oil has a similar nutritional profile to flaxseed oil - it's high in omega 3 fatty acids and linolenic acid (a type of omega-3). It also contains vitamin E and protein.
Hemp oil can be used both internally and externally for health and beauty. Taking hemp oil as a supplement will benefit the skin, brain, eyes, heart and immune system. It can be taken off the spoon, mixed into food such as porridge (after cooking), or even poured fresh over salad as part of the dressing. For example, just 10 ml of hemp oil represents 42% adequate daily intake omega 6, 40% less saturated fats than olive oil and 121% adequate daily intake omega 3. Based on this, I can't think of any good reason why we shouldn't include it in our diet.
In beauty products, hemp oil has hydrating and nourishing properties, such as hemp shampoo or hemp oil for hair. Hemp oil may be applied directly to the body as a moisturiser, makeup remover, serum or treatment for dry skin conditions. Eco Tan has recognised thy hydrating benefits of hemp oil, which is included in their Hempitan Body Tan Water.
Hemp seed oil for hair is a great option for those who are looking to add a little extra shine to their locks. Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 6 fatty acids, which help to protect your hair from damage and make it appear more lustrous. It also has antioxidants that can help prevent against free radical damage, which can lead to breakage and other issues.
It's recommended that you use hemp seed oil as a pre shampoo treatment to protect your hair from damage before washing with shampoo. You can also use it as a leave in conditioner by applying it directly to your hair after washing and drying but before styling.
Hemp seed oil works well on all types of hair types - from fine and straight to thick and curly - and can be used daily or weekly depending on your needs.
Hemp oil is a great moisturiser for dry skin. Hemp oil is also good for oily skin, sensitive skin and even eczema.
Here are some of the most common hemp oil benefits for your skin.
1. Moisturiser - Hemp oil is a great moisturiser because it contains omega 6 and 9 fatty acids that help lock in moisture, while also healing dryness and irritation. This makes it ideal for soothing eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and other conditions that cause dryness or flaking. It's also great for preventing wrinkles!
2. Anti aging - Hemp oil contains antioxidants like phytocannabinoids (CBD) and terpenes that protect against free radical damage caused by sun exposure and environmental pollutants (like pollution). This protects against premature aging by slowing down collagen destruction, which leads to wrinkles and sagging skin!
3. Hydration - Hemp oil helps keep your skin hydrated by retaining moisture in your epidermis (the outermost layer of your skin). This prevents dryness by creating an oily barrier between water loss from sweat evaporation or other factors like windburns or cold temperatures during snowboarding.
Hemp oil can be used to moisturise your face, lips, hands or any other part of the body that needs hydration. It's also an excellent aftershave because it won't irritate your skin like alcohol based products do. You'll be left with smooth, soft and glowing skin that smells great!
You can use hemp oil as an ingredient in homemade lotions and creams as well as commercial products too (if you don't want to make your own). The best way to apply it is by massaging into damp or wet skin using circular motions until the lotion absorbs into your pores then pat dry with a towel before getting dressed so you don't get oil stains on clothing.
Hemp is a great source of protein and other nutrients. It can also be used as an alternative to animal products such as meat, eggs, milk and cheese. Hemp seeds are an excellent source of omega 3s and 6s, which are great for your body, skin and hair.
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