Hemp has been getting a lot of mixed press lately.  Many are touting its outstanding health benefits, while others are calling for it to be pulled from the shelves.  Why all the controversy over a single plant?

Hemp is a variety of the cannibas sativa plant.  Many of you may recognize cannabis as marijuana. Although both hemp and marijuana are techniquely from the same species, they are chemically very different.  It’s kind of like saying a Chihuahua and a Great Dane are the same species, but their differences are obviously very substantial.

Marijuana has a very high level of the chemical THC, which makes the plant psychoactive. Grown for it’s flowering tips and leaves it is used primarily for drug use  and produces a hazardous “high.” In some states, marijuana is a legal pain medication.  However, hemp has nearly non-existent levels of THC, making it completely safe.  It is grown for it’s seeds, oil and fiber. Because hemp lacks THC, it’s health benefits become forefront in its use.

In the United States, federal law prevents hemp from being grown and farmed because it is the same species as marijuana.  I find this absolutely ludicrous!  Hemp is not a drug, but a source of nutrition! It is also a fantastic material for rope, paper and fabric. The hemp products you buy off the shelves have been imported from other countries like Canada.  I find it a travesty that the federal government is preventing a profitable industry like this from existing in the United States.

What Makes Hemp So Nutritious?

You’ve all probably heard about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.  Well, hemp is packed full of both omega-3 and 6!  Hemp also contains:

  • B vitamins
  • Vitamins A, D, and E
  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Not to mention the healthy amount of fiber and protein!

You can buy hemp in about every kind of form you can imagine.  There is hemp oil, hemp milk, and hemp protein powder.  My personal favorite is hemp seeds.  They have a great flavor and contain the full spectrum of nutrition hemp offers: omega fatty acids, vitamins, protein, and fiber!  I like eating a handful straight out of the bag, but many people like to sprinkle them on their salads or mix them in a protein shake.  Their taste and texture is like a cross between sunflower seeds and pine nuts.

There is a reason why hemp is becoming one of the fastest growing health products.  There really isn’t a health food like it!  Its all-in-one quality makes it a step above the rest. If you’d like to start adding

hemp into your daily regime, I recommend starting with hemp protein.  It’s quick, easy, and tastes great!  Hemp is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids.  Many vegetarian proteins are not complete, making hemp a superior choice.  It is also the only protein powder on the market with naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids and a high fiber content.

Drinking a hemp smoothie for breakfast or before your daily work out, can give you a great boost of energy.  It also stabilizes your blood sugar with its healthy fats and protein.  My favorite recipe is below.

Hemp Energy Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 banana
  • 2 tbsp of almond butter
  • 2 teaspoons of Cocoa powder (raw cocoa is best)
  • 3 tbsp of Nutiva Hemp Powder

Directions: Throw all the ingredients in a blender and then enjoy!

My favorite hemp protein is made by Nutiva.  It is 50% protein, 20% fiber and 11% fat.  This is a fantastic ratio of nutrients that will keep you going for hours!

Don’t forget to be creative with your smoothies!  If you have some raw spinach left over, throw it in!  Do you have a half of an avocado?  Put it in too!  Not a chocolate lover?  Try frozen berries!  Smoothies are a great way to use your left over produce, blending them into a delicious drink.

Hemp is No Hazard

As you can see, hemp is far from a hazard such as marijuana, but a wonderful healthy addition to someone’s diet.  I encourage you to spread your knowledge about the safety and nutritional value of hemp: omega-3 fatty acids, vitaminsprotein and fiber to name a few.  If enough of us demand it, we could see a new industry arise in America producing more jobs and boosting the economy!

What is your opinion about the Federal law on hemp?  Do you think it should be legal to farm in the United States?  Why or why not?  Comment below.  I’d love to hear from you!

 

 

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