The Hempseed Diet

Many diseases are caused by over-consumption of saturated fats and refined vegetable oils. Hempseed provides the body with all the essential amino acids required to maintain health, without the damaging fats and cholesterol content of animal-based protein sources. The seed of hemp, which looks like sesame seeds and has a nutty flavor, is processed into many dietary products such as organic hempseed, hempseed oil, hemp protein powder, nut butters, salad dressings, smoothies and organic hemp milk.

Nutrition

A 2 tbsp. serving of hemp powder from hempseed contains 130 calories and supplies 4 percent of the daily value, or DV, for fat. There is no cholesterol in hemp powder, according to Fatsecret calculations. A serving of hempseed protein contains 17 g of carbohydrates comprised of 11 g dietary fiber, or 44 percent of the DV. Hemp is high in protein, low in sodium and supplies 2 percent of the DV for vitamin A, 4 percent of the DV for calcium and 8 percent of the DV for iron. Hempseed is also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E and contains a balance of anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids, building materials for flexible cellular membranes.

Protein Source

Hempseed contains about 25 percent pure digestible protein, which is equal to or more protein than in a similar serving of meat, fish, chicken or cheese, according to Food navigator-usa.com. A complete protein, hempseed contains all 21 known amino acids, including the eight essential amino acids that the body cannot produce. The Department of Human Nutritional Sciences examined the composition and quality of hemp protein from hempseed. Researchers found that crude protein digestibility for whole hemp seed was 49 to 53 percent; for hemp seed meal, it was 46 to 51 percent and 63 to 66 percent for dehulled hemp seed. Conclusions supported claims that hempseed's digestibility is equal to or greater than certain grains, nuts and pulses, as published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010."

Cholesterol

Hempseed may help lower cholesterol and regulate blood clotting to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine researched the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in dietary hempseed on white rabbits. After eight weeks, levels of fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in the rabbits. Results, published in the "Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology," demonstrated that hempseed was effective in normalizing platelet aggregation, necessary for blood clotting, in cholesterol-induced diets.

Hypersensitivities

Dairy milk alternatives have grown in popularity, especially due to vegetarian preferences and occurrences of sensitivities to dairy, concern about growth hormones in milk and environmental issues including animal rights. Hemp is available as an alternative to dairy milk and is superior to soy and almond milk because of its nutrition, flavor and texture and lack of any known food sensitivities. People with sensitivity to nuts, including almonds, can drink hemp milk. People with sensitivity to soy or who have concerns about soy agriculture have the option of hemp milk. Rice milk has no known allergy irritants, but typically contains sugars and sweeteners with less nutrients that hemp milk.

Health Benefits

Hemp contains two essential fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are both polyunsaturated fats. They help with cell growth, organ function, vitality and mental awareness by transporting oxygen and energy throughout the body. Omega fatty acids may lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyeride levels. The omega-3 fatty acids may also help treat many chronic allergic and inflammatory diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, lupus and ulcerative colitis, according to the Cannabis Users Guide.