Adding hemp protein to your diet got a lot easier in 2018. Growing hemp was illegal until recently when the 2018 Farm Bill was passed. The hemp and cannabis plant is from the same family and that’s why they were both considered to be illegal. The cannabis plant has its fair portion of THC- the psychoactive chemical that makes people high. Hemp plants do not contain a lot of THC and that is why they are different.
Hemp comes with a lot of benefits which include medicinal uses, but this time around we are going to concentrate on hemp as a protein source. In recent years, people are moving from animal-based proteins to plant-based proteins. There has been an increased interest in switching to hemp protein because meat and dairy products are not sustainable at all.
It is hard to believe that hemp is actually a good source of protein. Surprisingly, this special plant has been touted as one of the best sources of plant proteins. The seeds of the hemp plant have a high amount of protein-packed in them.
Companies harvest the hemp plant seeds and then crush and grind them to a fine powder. The powder can be used as-is or in combination with other protein sources.
Hemp protein powder has an earthy and nutty taste that most people cannot tolerate. For this reason, companies use flavors in order to appeal to a larger audience. Those who don’t have a problem with the taste can purchase raw hemp protein powder.
Protein is a very important nutrient for the human body as it is used to manufacture almost all cellular components in the body. Protein helps one regenerate muscle tissue, recover after injury, and it helps your immune system. Moreover, protein is an integral part of the human diet.
Now that we know the importance of protein, why should we have to take hemp protein yet we have access to meat and other animal products? Well, hemp protein is quite good for the human body. Below are some of the key benefits associated with it:
Studies show that hemp protein is much better than most plant-based proteins. It is a sustainable plant and most importantly, it does not cause harm to the soil. With the passage of the Farm Bill, anyone can grow it on a large scale.
It is a complete protein
When we say that it is a complete protein we simply mean that hemp contains all the essential amino acids. This is why hemp protein is also described as a legitimate powerhouse. It is rare to find plant protein that contains all nine essential amino acids.
The amount of each amino acid contained in hemp is yet to be substantiated. Some researchers say that hemp is similar to egg whites and soy in terms of the amino acid profile. Even though this might be true, hemp has a low amount of lysine. This tells you that you have to supplement it with other sources that contain enough lysine.
It is easy to digest
As you well know, plant proteins are quite difficult to digest as compared to animal protein. However, hemp is special in the sense that 98% of the protein found in hemp seeds is digestible. The ease of digesting hemp protein can be attributed to albumin and edestin which are easily broken down by the human body.
Research shows that protein derived from cold-pressed hemp seeds is easy to digest as compared to seeds that have been subjected to heat processing.
It is vegan friendly
Plant-based protein has been growing in popularity especially with the increase of people who are switching to a vegan lifestyle. A lot of people are trying to reduce their consumption of meat in order to live a healthy lifestyle.
Plant-based proteins are becoming vital for our survival and that is why hemp plants are ideal considering the fact that only a few plants can offer a complete range of proteins.
Other plants such as soy are a good high protein source but it has some negative impacts on the environment. Hemp is easy to grow because it doesn’t require much space. Besides, it is grown organically and takes less time to mature.
Contains other key nutrients
Protein is not the only nutrient that can be found in hemp. Hemp contains a high amount of fiber as compared to other plant proteins. A quarter cup of hemp protein should contain about 7 or 8 grams of fiber. Other plant proteins such as rice, soy, and peas have to be refined and this process takes away much of the fiber. The good thing with fiber is that it makes you feel fuller and thus allowing you to reduce unnecessary snacking.
Hemp protein contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron in order to keep your body healthy. For heart health, it also has the much-coveted unsaturated fats.
We’ve seen that hemp protein comes with plenty of benefits. On the other hand, it is important to take some precautions because there can be some side effects.
Consuming high amounts of any plant-based protein can cause bloating, diarrhea, and gas because of the high quantity of fiber.
There is also a concern that hemp seeds might contain trace amounts of THC. Fortunately, the amount is not significant enough to give you a ‘high’ feeling.
Like any other protein, most nutritionists recommend adults consume about 0.36g of protein per pound of your body weight every day. Those who exercise may need more in order to boost muscle growth and aid in recovery.
You can purchase your favorite brands and flavors from CBD shops or even online. We recommend a cold-pressed variety, as it is arguably the best quality.
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