Hemp Seeds as a Food Source?

Because Katts Remedies is a CBD company, of course, our main focus is on….well, CBD. With that being said, we are also aware of the many benefits of the Hemp plant as a whole and feel it is important to lay waste to the stigmas surrounding this glorious green plant. Many people still have negative opinions regarding both plants and we feel it is our duty to dispel them. In this article, we want to bring attention to the nutritional value of Hemp seeds.

Through many of our previous articles, we expose WHY CBD is frowned upon. Through narratives designed to make the mass population think marijuana is bad for you because it “gets you high”, they’ve also managed to group everything related to the Cannabis plant together while pushing the “green plant bad” in order to make people fear it.

Once again, we beg the question, “What are they trying to hide?”

We must remember that while hemp and marijuana are both derived from the Cannabis family, there is a vast difference in what they are used for.

First, you should know that hemp is one of the most versatile crops grown in the world. It can be grown in almost any environment and can be cultivated within five months. This is very important to know because another thing many don’t understand is that hemp plants and marijuana plants, though they come from the same species, are cultivated very differently. Hemp plants are grown for their seeds and fiber while marijuana plants are cultivated for their THC content.

So, why is this important to know?

Once again, it’s all about the money. We’ve stated before that anything grown naturally cannot be patented and, therefore, would keep the big industries from manufacturing inept products and maintaining their power over what we purchase in order for them to continue to gain. The fact is, Hemp is such a remarkable plant that can be used to feed us, clothe us, house us, heal us, and protect the environment. Now do you see why they don’t want us to discover all of the different ways this plant can be used? Why they have gone out of their way to continue making it controversial and keeping us confused and in fear of testing this plant for ourselves?

Here is a brief historical timeline:

• 2000 – 800 BC: Hemp is considered a gift, referred to in Hindu religious documents as ‘sacred grass’, one of the five sacred plants of India.  
• 600-200 BC: The use of hemp continues across northern Europe, with hemp rope found in southern Russia and Greece and hemp seeds and leaves found in Germany.  
• 100 BC: China begins to use hemp to make paper.  
• 1533: The King of England, King Henry VII, prioritizes hemp by fining farmers if they don’t grow it.  
• 1606: North America discovers hemp as a key ingredient in making clothes, shoes, ropes, paper and food.  
• 1700s: American farmers are required by law to grow hemp as a staple crop, with many of America’s founding fathers advocating for its benefits.  

So, when did all this change? You need to look no further than, you guessed it, the Rockefellers.

Now that we have a better understanding, let’s talk Hemp seeds!

Hemp seeds, or hemp hearts, are the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. While they are technically nuts, they are generally referred to as seeds or hearts. Hemp hearts are known as one of our superfoods and is an excellent source of nutrients, especially unsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids. Researchers have agreed that hemp seeds/hearts provide an excellent source of nutrition. Below are a few of the incredible health benefits this superfood has to offer:

• Excellent 3:1 balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which promote cardiovascular health.
• High in GLA, an essential omega-6 fatty acid that’s been proven to naturally balance hormones.
• “Perfect protein” not only contains all 20 amino acids, but also each of the nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce.
• Hemp seeds are rich in multiple minerals, including manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, and zinc.

Potential Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds

While there are numerous health benefits that can stem from Hemp seeds, this is just a brief example of, what seems like, a limitless list of possibilities.

Improved Heart Health – Like other seeds and nuts, hemp seeds are heart-healthy. Studies have shown they are high in both omega-3 fatty and omega-6 fatty acids. A healthy omega-3 to omega-6 intake is crucial for preventing or reducing many diseases, including cardiovascular disease.

Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes – You’ll get a healthy dose of magnesium when consuming hemp seeds. The body needs magnesium to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, magnesium helps the body break down sugars and might help reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

Improved Cognitive Function – Researchers have found that the hemp seed extract prevented learning and spatial memory damage from inflammation and improved damage from the induced inflammation in the hippocampus.

There are many ways to consume Hemp seeds including adding them to your smoothies, in butters, oils, milk, and even as a salad topper. Did you know, they can also be found in some local grocery stores? However you use them, the good news is, when consumed as a food, Hemp seeds are considered to be safe. Although, as always, we recommend you seek advice from your physician before taking any supplements.