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

Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

7. Help to Maintain Weight

Hemp seeds are quite filling and are a terrific source of fiber. This can leave you feeling fuller and more satisfied for a longer period of time than other snacks. Just one ounce (about a large handful) is all you need for a super healthy snack that can help you maintain a healthy weight.

 

8. Improve Digestion

Numerous studies have shown that diets high in fiber are linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer and better overall digestive health. The seeds are known to be a good source of both types of fiber: soluble (about 20 percent) and insoluble (about 80 percent). Soluble fiber forms a gel-like compound in the digestive system, which feeds the good bacteria in the gut, regulates cholesterol levels, and reduces spikes in blood sugar. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool, which helps waste products and toxins pass through the digestive tract easily and quickly. Diets with high levels of insoluble fiber have been linked in studies to a lower risk of developing diabetes. You should note that shelled hemp seeds have very little fiber. In this case, eat the shell, that’s where the healthy fiber lies. Feel free to crunch away!

 

9. Easy to Eat

Hemp seeds are super easy to incorporate into your diet. No need to cook them or soak them or do anything but eat them raw right out of the bag if you wish. Of course, you can replace other low temperature oils with hemp seed oil, or swap out wheat flour for hemp seed flour, or add hemp seed protein powder to your smoothies or green juices. There are dozens of ways to use and eat hemp seeds, but the easiest is to simply grab a handful out of the bag and start munching.

 

10. They Can Reduce Menopause or PMS Symptoms

Most women suffer from emotional or physical problems caused by hormonal fluctuations. PMS symptoms are often caused by sensitivity to the hormone called prolactin. Hemp seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid, which is known to lessen the effect of prolactin. One study found that women who consumed 210 mgs of gamma-linolenic acid, along with other fatty acids, each day had significant reductions in their overall PMS symptoms.

 

READ ALSO: 11 Most Powerful Foods To Protect You From Cancer

 

Hemp seeds can also help women who are going through menopause. The high levels of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in hemp seeds can help to regulate the hormone imbalances and inflammation that often cause so much discomfort during menopause.

Hemp is a renewable green resource that can replace more than 50,000 known products. So get on the hemp seed bandwagon and try some today!

 

References:

http://www.tandfonline.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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