Hemp seed nutrition benefits come from protein, magnesium, phosphorus, and other key minerals.

Photo 68167865 © Marek Uliasz - Dreamstime.com

Got hemp seed? Nutrition benefits from this worthy source of protein make it an ideal addition to your diet. Beyond protein, hemp seeds contain a number of other nutrients that are an essential part of a healthy eating plan.

Specifically, hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Research has shown that ALA can help protect blood vessels from inflammatory damage. And, numerous studies have demonstrated that increased omega-3 fatty acid intake can help regulate blood pressure and help reduce blood pressure in people who have hypertension.

Hemp seeds also provide gamma-linolenic acid, which is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, they’re rich in the amino acid arginine, an ingredient necessary for the production of nitric oxide, which opens and relaxes blood vessels.

Hemp seeds can be chopped into hearts or (see photo below) crushed into hemp seed powder. (Photo 65739635 © Marek Uliasz – Dreamstime.com)

Hemp Seed Nutrition Facts

Let’s take a look hemp seed nutrition benefits you can derive from a small quantity. Just 3 tablespoons of hemp seed provides:

• 9 grams of protein. Protein is essential for strong, healthy bones and muscles, is involved in digestive enzyme production, and serves as a building block of skin, blood, and cartilage. (See also our post High-Protein Foods Are Essential to a Healthy Diet.)
• 14 grams of monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fats (PUFA). Both MUFA and PUFA are associated with healthy cholesterol levels and lower risks of diabetes and heart disease. They’re also important for absorption of the fat-soluble vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
• 210 milligrams of magnesium. Known to support bone formation, magnesium aids in vitamin D activation, helps metabolize carbohydrates and glucose, and helps prevent calcification in arteries.
• 495 milligrams of phosphorus. Phosphorus binds with calcium to form the building blocks of bones and teeth, supports growth and repair of cells and tissues, and is required for producing energy and regulating pH.
• 360 milligrams of potassium. Potassium helps control the electrical activity in the heart to maintain a regular heartbeat, aids in regulating sodium levels, is involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, and is needed for muscle growth.
• 3 milligrams of zinc. Zinc supports healthy immune system function, is involved in blood clotting and wound healing, and plays a role in maintaining good eye health and vision. (See also our post Zinc: Does It Really Fight Off a Cold?)
• 3 milligrams of niacin. Known to support healthy nerve function, niacin also aids in digestive health, helps convert food into energy, and improves circulation. It’s also needed for production of stress-related hormones.

(Photo 65739635 © Marek Uliasz – Dreamstime.com)

Hemp Seed Storage and Preparation

Since hemp seeds do contain fat, proper storage is important to prevent spoilage. Keep your seeds in a tightly sealed container in your refrigerator or freezer. Storing them in a warm pantry or kitchen can cause the fat to break down and go rancid, and it can deplete hemp seed nutrition content.

Hemp Seed Nutrition Facts: No Connection to Marijuana

If you’re concerned about hemp’s relation to marijuana, rest assured that you won’t “get high” if you consume hemp seeds. The plants from which hemp seeds are harvested are in the Cannabis family, but they’re a different variety than the plants that produce marijuana, and they have only a trace amount of THC, the substance in marijuana that causes a psychoactive effect.