|
|
| |
| |
| Content
Articles on Nutrition, Health + Wellness |
content by claire nolan
published: June 9, 2010
When you hear the word hemp, what do you think of? Do you associate it with the
fibers that go into making rope? Or do you think that the hemp plant is somehow
related to the marijuana plant? These are valid associations: it is a fact that
people began using hemp as long ago as 2800 B.C. in China for rope-making, and
it is also true that hemp is classified as one of the 500 varieties of Cannabis
sativa L. (yes, cannabis, as in marijuana), but hemp grown for food in Canada
contains less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive
ingredient in marijuana.
But what about hemp as a food product? Don't worry, you won't be chomping on
rope! Hemp food products range from seeds to protein powder to hemp butter.
They can be found in grocery and health-food stores and can be ordered online.
And they are gaining in popularity because of their nutritional benefits.
The hemp seed (actually a nut) is made up of 45% oil, 35% protein, with the
remainder consisting of carbohydrates and fibre. Hemp oil contains the perfect
ratio of essential fatty acids from the ''omega-6'' and ''omega-3'' families.
Also, hemp has all the essential amino acids, affording a complete protein
content, similar to that provided by milk, meat and eggs. It has more protein
than any other oil seed except the soybean.
And on top of all the nutritional benefits, hemp tastes great. It has a nutty
flavour, and enhances the flavour of smoothies, muffins, vegetable patties,
vinaigrettes, etc. Use your imagination with hemp powder, hulled hemp seeds,
hemp oil, and hemp butter. You can find additional information on hemp at
http://www.hemptrade.ca/products.php?cat=food⟨=en, along with recipes.
Give hemp a try; your body will thank you! |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
