The Health Benefits of Hemp

We are big advocates of hemp (big surprise, we know). Our product was born from a need for a protein bar that is nutritionally balanced and delicious. It sounds like a simple mission, but it was an uphill battle, especially considering the common misconceptions about hemp. Many people don’t realize that hemp is actually the best source of plant-based protein out there and that it hosts a wide spectrum of health benefits. Whether you’re a complete health nut or you just love the taste of our delectable vegan protein bars, it’s in your best interest to have a complete understanding of just how powerful this little plant can be.

Perfect Plant Protein Source

When it comes to vegetarian protein, all other sources pale in comparison. Consider this: by weight, hemp provides nearly the same amount of protein as beef. Hemp is also a complete protein source, providing all of the essential amino acids. This is an important quality in a protein source, as we do not produce these amino acids in our body naturally, so we need to get them through our diet. These types of protein sources are especially hard to come by in the plant kingdom due to the lack of lysine in most plants. Hemp has that and more, making it the King of Plant Protein.

 

Nutrient-Dense Nuts

Hemp seeds, which are technically nuts, are incredibly nutrient dense. They are a rich source of healthy fats and fatty acids, particularly omega-3s and omega-6s. Hemp is also an excellent source of vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, sodium, iron, calcium, and zinc. Beyond being a perfect protein source, hemp is simply an exceptionally nutritious food.

Hemp for the Heart

Given how widespread and devastating heart disease is in the world, a lot of time and energy is put into finding ways to prevent it. One way you can reduce your risk? You guessed it — hemp! There are several components of hemp that are working to fight against heart problems. First, there is its high concentration of arginine, an amino acid that produces nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is responsible for relaxing the blood vessels, which in turn, lowers blood pressure and with it, the risk of heart disease. In addition, hemp is a good source of gamma-linolenic acid, which has shown to reduce inflammation. Finally, animal studies have shown hemp seeds may work to help reduce the risk of blood clots and ease recovery after a heart attack.

Prevent Osteoporosis

There is some research to suggest that adding hemp to your diet may reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. As mentioned above, hemp is an excellent source of omega-6, specifically, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Some studies indicate that people who don’t get enough of certain fatty acids, specifically GLA, are more likely to experience bone loss. One study of women with osteoporosis found that those who took GLA supplements experienced less bone loss than their counterparts who took placebos. In fact, many actually had higher bone density after the trial. For the sake of your bones, hemp may be just what you need to add to your diet. When you’re ready to check out the benefits of this incredible protein source for yourself, shop Hemplete. Well-balanced, gluten-free, non-GMO, and best yet, all three flavors of our hemp bars are extremely tasty. Shop our hemp protein bars today!