Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are full of amino acids, particularly arginine which is a powerful neurotransmitter. Arginine helps in making nitric oxide in the body, higher levels of which have been proven to play a role in improving blood flow and promoting heart health.

Nitric oxide helps the body perform functions like hemostasis (the coagulation of blood into a gel as the first step of healing wounds) and fibrinolysis (preventing blood clots from growing). It also improves platelet and leukocyte interactions in the arterial walls, regulates the vascular tones and muscles and also helps control blood pressure. Normal vascular tone refers to the right diameter of the blood vessels to allow proper circulation.

Safe to say that hemp seeds are great for the heart and its upkeep, especially if you are at risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases.

You might think that 30% fat content, hemp seeds might be bad for people living with high cholesterol. The fact is, hemp seeds are rich in two essential fatty acids that are beneficial for keeping cholesterol in check: linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3). These polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs can help lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, the bad cholesterol which can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.

Hemp seeds also have some gamma-linolenic acids (also a type of omega-6 fatty acid) that helps to reduce inflammation. Hemp seed oil can also prove beneficial for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Research shows that reducing inflammation can also improve health outcomes for people living with diabetes: hemp seeds can be used for managing blood sugar in patients.

If you have any of these chronic (life-long) conditions, please do check with your doctor before taking hemp seeds or starting any therapy.

The high concentration of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in hemp seeds has an additional advantage: these fatty acids combine with the gamma-linolenic acid to work as an anti-inflammatory agent and can help with skin disorders like eczema and acne vulgaris too. This is especially true in the case of hempseed oil, which can relieve dryness of skin, itching and reduce the need for medicated ointments.

Hemp seeds are 30% fat and 25% protein. Not only are they are a great source of plant-based proteins, but their protein quality is also equivalent to that of dairy, red meat and soybeans. What’s more, hemp seeds also have lysine, methionine and cysteine - all amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. These factors make hemp seeds a great source of high-quality proteins for vegetarians and vegans. 

The seeds also have high dietary fibre, which helps to keep digestive disorders at bay.

Hemp seeds are also a rich source of minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium which helps you get better sleep.

Most women of reproductive age have to deal with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or PMS as well as inflammation related to menopause at a later age. Hemp seeds, brimming with gamma-linolenic acids, help alleviate the symptoms associated with both PMS and menopause.

The symptoms of PMS and menopause are related to sensitivity to a hormone called prolactin. Gamma-linolenic acids help with the production of prostaglandin E1, which in turn reduces the effects of prolactin. Hemp seeds are, therefore, used to treat these symptoms in many cultures.

In some traditions, hemp seeds are also given to pregnant women because they are a rich source of vitamin E and minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium. Though, there isn't sufficient research on the use of hemp seeds during pregnancy.

Hemp seeds, especially the ones that have not been de-shelled, also contain large amounts of dietary fibre. Of this fibre content, 20% is soluble and 80% insoluble, but both promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Hemp seeds, therefore, work as a prebiotic, and when combined with their anti-inflammatory effects, work really well to aid digestion and alleviate digestion-related pain.

The high fibre content also makes hemp seeds beneficial for avoiding and relieving constipation.

There is a lot of new research on alternative approaches to fighting cancer. Though it is too early to say if science will approve the use of hemp seeds to prevent different types of cancer, there is already some support for the theory that regular consumption can help to avoid colorectal cancer and lung cancer specifically.

Hemp seeds are a rich source of healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are also important for the growth of brain cells, so getting them in one go via hemp seeds might be a good idea for your overall health.

Studies have also shown that hemp seeds can alleviate symptoms and aid in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

A 2011 study found that the PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in hemp seeds have a huge antioxidant effect and can help treat patients of Parkinson’s as well as Alzheimer’s.

Another study, published in 2018, found that the phenylpropionamides (TPA) extracted from hemp seeds had an anti-neuroinflammatory effect (it reduced inflammation in the nervous system) on test subjects, which is again critical for understanding and treating diseases like Alzheimer’s.