10 Reasons Why You Should Make Hemp Seeds Your Favorite New Snack

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2. Super Source of Nutrition

Although we call them hemp seeds, they are actually related to nuts. This might explain why they have a mild but nutty flavor. Some people call them hemp hearts. No matter what you want to call them, the fact remains that hemp seeds are incredibly nutritious. True, they have more than 30 percent fat, but that fat is mostly omega-3 and omega-6. These seeds also contain gamma-linolenic acid, which has its own set of important health benefits. A full 25 percent of the calories in hemp seeds come from their high quality protein. This is remarkable when you consider that other seeds, such as flax seeds or chia seeds, have only about 16 to 18 percent of their calories come from protein. Hemp seeds are also terrific sources of phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E. You can eat hemp seeds raw, roast them, or cook them. It is believed that hemp seeds have been used in Chinese medicine for over 3,000 years.

3. Terrific Source of Non-Meat Protein

When you consider the protein content of other nuts or seeds, hemp rates right up there at the top, with about 25 percent of their calories coming from protein. In fact, when measured by weight, hemp seeds have about the same amount of protein as beef! You will find 11 grams of protein in just 30 grams (about 3 tablespoons) of hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are a complete source of protein as they contain all the essential amino acids. This is quite rare in the plant world. Hemp seeds contain high levels of glutamic acid and arginine. The human body is also able to digest hemp seeds very easily, better than most other types of protein from legumes or grains.

4. Help with Skin Disorders

The high levels of fatty acids in hemp seeds and hemp seed oil can affect the immune response of the body. With their perfect 3-to-1 ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids, this can help those who suffer from dry skin, itchy skin, or eczema or psoriasis. You can eat hemp seeds as well as consume a hemp seed oil supplement to help stop any type of skin problem you might be having.

5. The Perfect Replacement for Fish Oil

Hemp seed oil is free from mercury contamination, won’t give you those annoying fishy burps, and has the perfect ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids. Hemp seed oil has a nutty flavor to it that many people find enjoyable. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for stopping inflammation as well as for healthy heart function. You should be able to find hemp seed oil at your local health food or natural store. If not, you can always order it online.

6. Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

The number one killer, worldwide, is heart disease. That should make hemp seeds your new best friend. Hemp seeds lower your risk of developing this killer disease by several methods. First, they contain high levels of an important amino acid called arginine, which produces nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a gas that causes the blood vessels in the body to become larger and to relax, which leads to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the main causes of heart disease. Studies done with animals have shown that hemp seeds and hemp seed oil decrease the risk of forming blood clots. Another study found that the gamma-linolenic acid in hemp seeds reduces inflammation in body, which is also a factor for the development of heart disease. No matter how you look at it, hemp seeds work hard to prevent you from developing heart disease.

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