Hemp Seeds: Healthy And Tasty Ingredient For Many Dishes

Hemp seeds don’t have any intoxicating effects, but the small grains are still a blast – nutritionally speaking. Read why hemp seeds are healthy.

How healthy are hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are considered a superfood and are often recommended as part of a vegetarian or vegan diet. When it comes to the ingredients, hemp seeds score with their high protein content – depending on the product, 100 grams of the small grains consist of 20 to 35 percent protein and can easily compete with a steak. In contrast to meat, they also provide a lot of dietary fiber, which is an important part of healthy meals. Finally, the fatty acid profile of hemp seeds is favorable, they contain valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids. So using the granules as food and not just bird seed can really pay off if you want to cook as healthily as possible.

Unpeeled or peeled hemp seeds: Both are healthy

Whether you eat peeled or unpeeled hemp seeds is purely a matter of taste. Shelled hemp nuts have a higher fiber content and are crunchier – ideal as an ingredient for vegan granola bars, bread or as a topping for salads. The peeled specimens are softer and taste good in yoghurt or smoothie, for example. Some products containing hemp seeds are advertised with full-bodied promises. They are said to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, help with weight loss or allow the muscles to regenerate more quickly. Such health-related statements lack any scientific basis and are prohibited, emphasizes the consumer center, among others.

What About THC – Are Hemp Seeds Healthy and Safe?

The consumer advocates also point out that hemp seeds themselves do not contain tetrahydrocannabiol (THC), the intoxicating substance in the hemp plant. However, the granules can come into contact with THC-containing parts of the plant when harvested and therefore contain appreciable amounts of the cannabinoid. Since there is no binding limit, but only a guide value for the content in food, there is the possibility of a harmful effect – especially for children and pregnant women. If in doubt, it is better to avoid dietary supplements or products with a high content of hemp seeds. However, according to the current state of science, it is harmless to use them in small quantities in the kitchen in their natural form. Germinating hemp seeds is also healthy, as long as you pay attention to good, tested quality.