If you haven't heard of hemp hearts, here is what they are. Yes they come from the hemp plant and no they don't have any drug type qualities to them. Hemp hearts are a similar size and consistency to chopped sesame seeds. They are the shelled seeds of hemp.



For those of you who aren't familiar with hemp seeds, they contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life. Breaking down the hemp seed and its nutritional value, about 30 to 35% of the weight of hempseed is hemp oil, an edible oil that contains about 80% essential fatty acids (EFAs). Thse EFA's contain the linoleic acid, omega-6 (LA, 55%), alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 (ALA, 22%), in addition to gamma-linolenic acid, omega-6 (GLA, 1-4%) and stearidonic acid, omega-3 (SDA, 0-2%).

Why are these things important? There are two types of essential fatty acids. The first, linoleic acid, is also known as the omega-6 type of fatty acids. The second, linolenic acid, is also known as the omega-3 type of fatty acid. When these fatty acids are consumed proportionately, the energy from food is much more readily distributed throughout every cell in your body, both efficiently and healthfully.

Ideally, you should be getting a ratio of four parts omega-6 acids to one-part omega-3 acids. This is the proportion you find in hemp seeds. However, it should also be noted that the standard diet is generally already well endowed with omega-6 fatty acids, while it's the omega-3s that are lacking; this means that in most cases, your attention should

be on omega-3 consumption rather than omega-6. This is where the hempseed is valuable.

Hempseed also contains about 20% of a highly digestible protein. Its amino acid profile is close to "complete" when compared to more common sources of proteins such as meat, milk, eggs and soy. These amino acids construct seven different types of simple proteins. One of these is globulin edistin. It helps manufacture antibodies in your body, which supports your immune system. Hence these contain 65% globulin, the highest percentage of any plant food. Because hempseed or hemp hearts are a protein and definitely more digestible than meat, whole eggs, cheese, soybeans, mother's milk, cows milk or any other high protein food - people who have stomach and intestinal issues appreciate the hemp heart.

The best way to insure the body has enough amino acid material to make the globulins is to eat foods high in globulin proteins. Since hemp heart's protein is 65% globulin edistin, and also includes quantities of albumin, its protein is readily available in a form quite similar to that found in blood plasma. Eating hemp seeds gives the body all the essential amino acids required to maintain health, and provides the necessary kinds and amounts of amino acids the body needs to make human serum albumin and serum globulins like the immune enhancing gamma globulins.

What are some other values of hemp hearts? They are an adequate source of calcium and iron. They are also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. They contain no gluten and therefore would not trigger symptoms of celiac disease while providing many nutritional benefits in gluten products place.

Hemp hearts also contain phytosterols, or plant sterols and therefore have been known to lower cholesterol levels by as much as 13%. If that's not enough to get you healthy, how about all the vitamins and minerals that are also abundant in hemp seeds such as vitamin C, vitamin E, carotene vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium.

Because the hemp hearts are so nutritious, they are excellent to use in baking and cooking. You can also eat them raw by the spoonful to make sure you get proper nutrition; this will also make sure that you receive their full benefit, since roasting or baking them can cause some loss of their nutrients.

How should you eat your hemp hearts? You can begin each day with about four or five tablespoons. Many prefer it in their yogurt or they simply add it to their vegetables. Because the hemp hearts give you energy and can make you feel full, many feel it is a great dietary supplement. A small amount of food with hemp hearts placed on it can make you full faster.

Hemp hearts do not contain significant amounts of sugar, starches or saturated fats and is therefore not only good for the average person but also anybody who is on a strict sugar free diet.

Because hemp hearts do not cause inflammation, those who are trying to steer clear of such foods will find it beneficial, such as those who suffer arthritis.

So what are you waiting for? Have you integrated one of nature's most beneficial and natural foods into your diet?