Seeds of plant cannabis sativa, available in the market as hemp seeds, are gaining increased recognition as a complete nutrition pack. 

Dietitians and nutrition experts mostly recommend ‘hemp seeds’ because of its excellent nutrition credentials, and recent research studies have confirmed it. Before you go on to spend your money, here is all you should know about hemp seeds.

Why should you eat? 

Ans: It’s incredibly nutritious.

What nutrition do you get?

Ans: Packed with protein, fibres, and minerals (Vit. E and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and zinc present in good amount)

Exceptionally rich in essential fatty acids– omega 6 and omega 3, present in the ratio of 3: 1, which is considered to be the optimal range.

How to consume?

Ans: Available in raw/ cooked/ roasted forms.

Ways to eat: Being a versatile food, it can be sprinkled on salad, mixed in with yoghurt, or add into the smoothies. And it’s not just the nutritional value, hemp seeds have enormous health benefits. 

They have been proven effective in controlling various diseases like Alzheimer's and reducing symptoms of PMS by hormone regulation.

Listed below are 5 evidence-based health benefits of hemp seeds:

1. Heart diseases- Arginine present in this seed produces nitric oxide which further makes blood vessels dilate and relax, thus reducing symptoms of blood pressure and heart diseases.

2. Lowers the risk of blood clot formation.

3. Helps in treatment of skin disorders like eczema by giving relief from dry skin and itchiness.

4. Helps in treatment of PMS menopause: physical and emotional symptoms caused by PMS are very likely caused by sensitivity to the hormone ‘prolactin.’ Presence of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) produces prostaglandin 1 which reduces the effect of prolactin. This way hemp seed functions as a hormone imbalance regulator. 

5. Last but not the least, know that hemp seeds will not make you test positive for marijuana. Yes. It’s just that hemp and marijuana are members of the same species, cannabis sativa.

Hemp plants that are grown for food, contain as little as 0.001 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This means you can eat hemp as much as you want and it’ll never make you high! Take home message: 3 tablespoons of hulled hemp seeds gives you 10 grams of protein, 14g fat and 2g fibre.