We focus so much on the cannabis flowers and all their magical properties! Now, let’s give some other parts of the pot plant our attention! This time, we’re talking about seeds. To answer the immediate question, “wait, do hemp seeds contain THC or CBD?”, the answer is not really. Cannabis seeds are better used for their health benefits, as they contain significant quantities of healthy elements. Continue reading to learn about all the good stuff cannabis seeds can do to your body.
The Nutritional Value Of Cannabis Seeds
Even though cannabis seeds aren’t going to get you high, they still have plenty of nutritional health benefits. Incidentally, in this article, we’ll be using the terms hemp, marijuana, weed and cannabis interchangeably to refer to the seeds. This is because, in terms of the benefits of eating marijuana seeds, there’s no discernable difference between hemp or weed seeds – they are all equally nutritious. Here are some hemp seed nutrition facts to show you how you can elevate your diet with them!
Plenty Of Plant-Based Protein
Vegetarians rejoice – hemp seeds have LOTS of protein! Per 30g (about 3 tablespoons) of hemp seeds, you can find almost 10 grams of protein! To put that in perspective, dumping some seeds in your morning smoothie can bump you up to around 20% of your daily recommended protein intake. Hemp seeds are also a complete source of protein, which means you can find all nine essential amino acids that must be absorbed through the diet. Weed seeds are definitely one of the best sources of plant-based protein out there!
All The Healthy Fats, None Of The Others!
“Fatty food” is a term that, in general, sounds pretty taboo, but cannabis seeds are a great source of healthy (and essential!) polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3s, with lots of health benefits. Our bodies are incapable of producing nine of these so-called essential fatty acids, all of which are crucial for long-term health, so we have to rely on our diet in order to absorb them! It’s also worth mentioning that hemp seeds, although they contain these healthy fatty acids, are still low in saturated fats and contain no trans fats.
Full Of Fiber!
Like many other seeds, cannabis seeds are chock-full of fiber! Most of this fiber is in the hull, or shell, so make sure you buy seeds with the hulls intact! However, even without, the seeds themselves will still have plenty. If you don’t already know, consuming enough fiber every day has some amazing health benefits, including good weight management, stabilization of blood sugar levels and promotion of gut health.
Get Your Daily Dose Of Minerals And Vitamins
Don’t underestimate the powers of hemp seeds – they may be small, but they are mighty and very nutritious! That’s right, hemp seeds have an extraordinary amount of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, just to name a few. They’re also rich in other nutrients like iron, zinc, B vitamins and calcium.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Cannabis Seeds?
As you now know, hemp seeds are packed with tons of healthy compounds essential to a balanced diet: omega-3s, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, you name it! Let’s take a look at the ways these “superfood” hemp seeds can benefit your health.
Antioxidants For Your Noggin!
That’s right, the benefits of hemp seeds extend to your brain! Lab tests have shown that hemp seed extract has antioxidant effects, which might be related to the CBD compounds found throughout the cannabis plant. CBD, as well as other compounds found in cannabis and its seeds, may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, although more research needs to be done to support this claim. However, because of this, weed seeds can potentially help with several neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and seizure disorders.
Give Your Heart Some Love
As mentioned before, hemp seeds are full of amino acids, especially one called arginine, which is super beneficial for heart health. Arginine, which turns into nitric oxide, is critical for artery and vein dilation, keeping your blood vessels healthy and muscles relaxed! Omega-3 fatty acids are also believed by medical experts to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure.
Hemp Seeds’ Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The same omega-3s mentioned above are also fantastic for reducing inflammation. Hemp seeds have plenty of other fatty acids as well, including gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid also known to help with inflammation. These properties are great for those with conditions that are tied to inflammation such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
Great For Your Skin
Eating weed seeds can also be great for your skin! Two skin conditions, atopic dermatitis and acne, can both derive from chronic inflammation. Hemp seeds not only have anti-inflammatory properties, but also plenty of fiber and omega-3s that could help manage acne. Due to their high amounts of fatty acids, seeds may also help with other skin issues like thick calluses and cracked heels.
Get Some Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, causes the immune system to attack tissues, thus causing inflammation in the joints. As previously mentioned, hemp seeds have anti-inflammatory compounds, which could be helpful for such conditions! Research has been conducted that suggests hemp seed oil has anti-rheumatic effects. However, the evidence is not yet conclusive and more studies need to be done.
How To Incorporate Cannabis Seeds Into Your Diet
To maximize the health benefits of hemp seeds, you’re probably wondering how many hemp seeds per day is okay to eat! We recommend two to three tablespoons of seeds however you prefer to enjoy them: in a salad or smoothie are great options! You don’t have to worry about cooking or shelling them – eat them however they taste best to you! There are plenty more ways to eat hemp seeds, including sprinkling them on your breakfast oatmeal or yogurt.
Homegrown Cannabis Seeds Are The Way To Go
Honestly, the most cost-effective way to have a bunch of cannabis seeds on hand is to simply grow your own! You can boost seed production (if you’re focused mainly on the seeds) by purchasing a pack of regular cannabis seeds, which normally germinate to be 50/50 male and female. This is important because cannabis plants have to be fertilized in order to produce seeds. Just plant them close to each other, and soon after the plants show their sex, males will pollinate the females, which will start to produce plenty of nutritious seeds. To source your seeds, it’s always a good idea to check Herbies. There, you can find seeds for a cannabis plant that will best suit your needs.
Hemp Seeds – Part Of A Balanced Diet!
It makes so much sense to grow hemp seeds if you’re interested in the constant streamline of health benefits. You can’t get high from eating weed seeds, but two to three tablespoons of hemp seeds per day is great for a balanced diet!
