Why Hemp Seeds Are a True Superfood

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People who take a holistic approach to their health and diet will find that there are a few certain foods that are truly deserving of the title “Superfood,” and Hemp Seeds are definitely one of them.

In my opinion a Superfood needs to have a ton of minerals and vitamins, or micro-nutrients, for the amount of calories you are eating. So for example, white rice can provide energy, but you would have to eat a TON of it to get enough vitamins and minerals out of it. With Hemp seeds on the other hand, a mere 3TBSP. a day can fix a ton of nutrient deficiencies!

Avoiding becoming deficient in key nutrients such as Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium, and Copper, is an integral part of maintaining peak health.

There is a huge difference between going to the doctor and testing “healthy” for everything, as opposed to having plenty of nutrients flowing through you at all times and strong reserves within your body. Eating more Hemp can easily solve nutrient deficiencies such as Iron and Magnesium, and from my experience improvements such as increased energy, improved mood, and better sleep, are a common occurrence.

Here are 8 reasons Hemp Seeds are a potent Superfood:

  1. Hemp has no phytic acid. Unlike soy and grain products, hemp seeds do not contain any phytic acid, which is a powerful plant anti-nutrient that blocks the absorption of healthy vitamins and minerals. Hemp has never given anyone a negative reaction like inflammation or digestive issues (from my experience.
  2. Hemp is nature’s highest source of essential fatty acids. It contains more healthy EFAs than flax or any other nut.
  3. Hemp contains a perfect balance of 3/1 Omega 6 to Omega 3. Optimizing your Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratios has been shown to decrease your risks of heart disease by 80% compared to the average American. Humans evolved over the long term to eat as close to a 3/1 ratio as possible.
  4. Hemp contains all 20 Amino Acids. Hemp contains all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids. It is easy to absorb and a highly digestible protein source, once again from my experience it is very easy to digest!
  5. Hemp contains plenty of phyto-nutrients. These are essentially the plant’s natural immune boosters; they have beneficial effects for the human body and immunity as well.
  6. Hemp seeds contain a ton of essential minerals that are hard to find elsewhere. Just by eating Hemp every day you can get highly absorbable forms of Magnesium, Phosphorous, Manganese, Iron, and Zinc! All of these minerals are often hard to find in such a perfect food source.
  7. Hemp seeds deliver nutrition in an optimally balanced form. They have a great balance of protein, fat, and carbs. Hemp seeds have a perfect Omega 6 to 3 ratios, and plenty of hearty fiber. They also contain ample amounts of minerals and unique plant nutrients. What this means is that all of these components absorb much better together than if they were isolated.
  8. Hemp seeds taste amazing! They taste great in smoothies, yogurt, or even sprinkled on Ice Cream (trust me they are amazing.).

Hemp Seeds can help you lose weight, and aid in preventing Heart Disease and Digestive Issues.

 Hemp seeds will help you lose weight naturally.

Eating more foods that are high calorie, nutrient dense, and a balanced source of protein, fat, and fiber, will always satiate you for hours on end compared to processed junk. Feeling fuller for longer periods of time, and truly being satisfied from healthy and tasty food is one of the key components to a successful diet for weight loss.

Hemp seeds can greatly reduce your chances of heart disease. Science has proved that it all comes down to optimizing our Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio, they generally recommend as close to 3/1 as possible. Guess what has a perfect 3/1 ratio and contains the cleanest sources of both Omega 6 and Omega 3? Yes, you guessed it, hemp.

Hemp greatly improves digestive health. I believe that it is a combination of the amazingly healthy fat in hemp, the minerals for cellular reactions, and the plant’s natural phyto-nutrients that all contribute to a very satiated and full feeling. Whenever I eat hemp I feel great for hours on end, I never feel strain on my digestive system, just a smooth and energized feeling.

Hemp also contains natural plant fibers that when combined with all the minerals and fats allow for very easily passable stools and promotes regularity.

Conclusion:

Hemp seeds are in my top 5 of best foods on the planet to consume.   They are a true superfood that has it all. Hemp is low-carb, high in an extremely clean and balanced source of essential fatty acids, high protein, plenty of fiber, and one of the best sources of minerals on the planet.

It is not only that hemp seeds contain these minerals; it is that they are in such a bio-available form. Our bodies absorb nutrients in a complex synergy with fats, proteins, enzymes, vitamins, minerals etc. Hemp has all of these components, and for that reason it is 10x better than just taking a Zinc and Magnesium pill that your body will not even absorb!

Hemp is one of the most powerful Superfoods on earth. Add them to your smoothies, yogurt, desserts, salads, and dinners! Eat them plentifully and regularly. Hemp seeds will fix mineral deficiencies while providing your body with potent Phyto-nutrients, and an optimal balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3. Hemp packs a powerful punch in protein and fiber as well. Not a day should go by where you do not incorporate Hemp into your diet in one-way-or-another!

 

About the author:

Michael Sieber is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Holistic Nutrition Enthusiast. He runs his blog www.thefunctionalbody.com and emphasizes a balanced approach to health and fitness. It is not just about losing weight or being big and muscular, it is also about having a passion and purpose to guide you in life. We need to balance our body, mind, and soul, to become a self-actualized human being.

 Learn more about Michael Sieber and what you need to do to achieve balance in your health and true happiness. Learn how to exercise, eat correctly, and balance your emotions with your dreams.

If you find that you have any questions regarding the content of this article, feel free to shoot me an email at: [email protected]

 Sources for this article include:

http://nutiva.com/hemp-seed-nutritional-value-nutrition-benefits/

http://bodyecology.com/articles/hemp_nutty_food_source_good_for_you.php#.VIurtCdg0pI

http://nutiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Hemp-Compositon-Chart1.pdf

Michael Sieber