The Hempseed Diet

Over the last decade, due in part to new regulations allowing Canada to grow and export hemp, more hemp products have made their way into U.S. markets, according to Purdue University. This includes the food market, where hemp is showing up in a variety of products.

Benefits

The name hemp primarily refers to the species "Cannabis sativa." Hemp is not marijuana and contains only a trace amount of THC. What it does contain are high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (beneficial to heart health), 25 to 30 percent protein and all eight essential amino acids.

Uses

Though there is no actual hemp seed "diet," there are a number of ways to incorporate hemp into your diet. Hemp seeds can be eaten raw or added to cereal, granola and yogurt. Hemp oil can be used on salad dressings (never use for frying or baking, as it turns rancid when heated). Hemp is also making its way into granola bars and other snack products.

Storage

Properly store hemp seed oil. Keep oil in dark bottles and refrigerate to prevent it from turning rancid due to heat exposure. The oil has a short shelf life even when stored properly. In general, foods made with hemp seeds or oil should be fresh at the point of purchase and should be consumed within a short period of time.

References

• Purdue University: Hemp: A New Crop with New Uses for North America
• American Family Physician: Omega 3 Fatty Acids