Hemp powder provides more than just protein. It also contains essential fats and fibre!
Hemp Protein: Understanding This Vegan Protein
Updated Apr. 26th, 2024 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Nutritional Content of Hemp Protein Powder
- Key Health Benefits of Hemp Protein
- Shopping For Quality Hemp Protein Powder
- Potential Side Effects of Hemp Products
Hemp protein is extracted from seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The particular subtypes of this plant referred to as hemp, are very low in THC and thus are not able to produce the psychoactive effects attributed to the high THC forms of this plant commonly called "marijuana". Hemp seeds come from species of this plant that are low in THC and thus will not produce any psychoactive effects. Hemp protein is not only a rich source of protein but also contains essential fatty acids (EFAs), and fibre as well.
Nutritional Content of Hemp Protein Powder
Hemp seeds are a rich source of nutrition and healthy fibre. When the hemp seeds are cold pressed to form protein powder, that powder maintains its rich content of healthy oils. Hemp protein powder contains protein, EFAs and fibre.
Nutritional Information
| nutritional content of hemp protein powder | |
|---|---|
| proteins | · hemp seeds are a rich source of protein and contain all 9 essential amino acids, making them a source of complete protein. |
| healthy oils | · around 44% of the weight of hempseed is healthy edible oils, the vast majority of which are efas, particularly omega 3 and omega 6. |
| fibre | · around 15% of the weight of hemp protein powder is fibre. |
Key Health Benefits of Hemp Protein
Because hemp is such an eco-friendly crop, hemp protein powder is probably the most environmentally friendly protein powder source. In addition to being eco-friendly, hemp also contains dietary fibre and essential fatty acids, both of which have additional health benefits. Fibre can increase digestive motility, stabilize blood sugar, and reduce the risk of some gastrointestinal diseases. EFAs are essential to your overall health and support healthy skin and proper hormone levels. Hemp protein powder is also a rich source of omega 3 and omega 6 healthy fats.
Shopping For Quality Hemp Protein Powder
Eating hemp seeds is one great way to get more hemp protein. Hemp protein can also be found in protein bars, drink mixes, meal replacements, weight loss formulas, body-building formulas, or as a plain powder.
The powder can be added to water, juice or other fluids to make a shake, or can be added to cooking or baking to increase the protein content of your food. The dose of protein powder recommended depends on the percentage of protein by weight, and your activity level and bodily requirements. People generally require 1 – 2 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight. The lower end of the scale is for simply maintaining muscle mass with a sedentary lifestyle, while the higher end of the scale is for people looking to add significant muscle mass.
Potential Side Effects of Hemp Products
Although rare, hemp seed oil may cause sleepiness, bloodshot eyes, and liver problems in children. While hemp is extracted from a different plant than marijuana, it does belong to the cannabis family; therefore, if you have a cannabis allergy, you might also have an allergic reaction to hemp. Use hemp with caution if you are allergic to cannabis. If you have surgery scheduled, note that hemp protein might lower blood pressure.
Recently, I have discovered hemp seeds, and have added them as an integral part of my breakfast. Generally, I eat a hearty scoop of hemp seeds just on their own. Since hemp seeds are a plant-based protein, I feel this adds to my daily variety of protein; and it allows me to diversify without always relying on animal-based proteins. Hemp seeds are nutrient dense, containing numerous minerals, amino acids and fats. I am happy that Canada produces some of the best hemp seeds.
Hello Kathy,
Hemp seeds are an excellent way to pack in nutrients and plant based omega's. They're delicious to be added to many recipes and dishes too. Here's a recipe you may enjoy.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/hemp-protein-lemon-poppy-seed-cake/
Have a healthy day!
I love the idea of using plant protein in my diet and I love hemp seeds so I was intrigued by this article to see how else I could incorporate hemp into my diet. It is really cool that you can press cold hemp seeds into a protein powder! I love how they are high in fiber as well, and I often add hemp seeds to my oatmeal or other dishes like pasta when I can to get that added benefit of fibers and good nutrients! I love how it also contains healthy oils, which is always an added plus!
Hi there,
Hemp protein is a great plant-based protein that many tolerate well, plus it has the added bonus of omega's! You can learn more about all the different omega's in our articles:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/omega-3-6-9-blend/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/omega-6/