According to the Journal of Agriculture and Food Medicine 2014, hemp is a crop full of health benefitting oils.
Hemp is the plant of the genus Cannabis family. It is cultivated for its powerful source of fibre or for its highly nutritious seeds (which are the edible part of the hemp plant). The humble hemp is often confused with the cannabis plant which serves as the mind altering drug marijuana and the drug preparation hashish. All of these products contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is a compound known to have psychoactive effects in humans. However, cannabis cultivated for hemp contains irrelevant amounts of THC.
The non-drug varieties known as Cannabis sativa L, are collectively known as "hemp". For thousands of years, they have been a fascinating source of food and medicine as well as fibre. Hemp is also a powerful source of the plant fatty acids, a-linolenic acid (omega 3 fatty acid), linoleic acid and oleic acid.
Steoid alchols are known as sterols. In the medical world, sterols are found to be useful in lowering cholesterol levels. According to research, daily intake of sterols have been associated with a lower incidence of heart attack.
Phytol is a compound found in hemp and has antioxidant properties. This compound can also be found in foods such as beans, spinach and asparagus.
As well as being an excellent source of protein, hempseed contains abundant amounts of vitamins A, C, E and B carotene. Hemp is rich in the minerals such as calcium, sulphur, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium.
Banana Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup -1 cup almond milk
- ½ - 1 tablespoon maple syrup (depending on desired sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons good quality hemp protein
- Handful of blueberries
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
