Hemp seeds

Buy unhulled, or hulled hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are available hulled and unhulled, but what's the difference? Which hemp seed is best to buy? The nutritional value of unhulled hemp seeds is slightly different from that of the hulled variety. The husk of the hemp seed consists mainly of fibre, so unhulled hemp seeds contain more fibre than hulled hemp seeds and have a crispy bite. Unhulled hemp seeds also have a longer shelf life thanks to the hard shell, namely up to 15 months if properly sealed.

Shelled hemp seeds should be kept refrigerated for 8 to 12 weeks. So keep in mind how much hemp seed you buy, packages of 275 grams, 500 grams and 1 kilo are available. New in the range is the Hulled hemp seeds from the Netherlands in a 250-gram pack. Since you can easily incorporate a few tablespoons into your diet daily, that is more than enough. Furthermore, you can use the shelled variety more diversely in your menu and it is also easier to process.

Hemp seeds healthy?

Let us first clarify why something falls under the category of superfood. The term superfood refers to a number of edible fruits (plants, seeds) that are rich in important nutrients, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, proteins and enzymes. They are nutrients that are important for humans to function but are almost absent in the normal diet. Therefore, consuming various types of superfoods (such as hemp seeds), is a good way to supplement deficiencies. For example, if you are a vegetarian, but otherwise, of course. In the case of the hemp seed as a superfood, we are talking about a very special 'seed'. Within traditional Chinese medicine, hemp seeds have been used as a medicinal food for over 2,000 years. Buddha is said to have lived on 1 hemp seed a day during his ascetic period. Hemp seeds are a great source of protein, with more than 25% of total calories coming from high-quality protein. That is a lot more than similar superfoods like chia seeds or flaxseed, which provide about 16-18% of protein. Furthermore, it therefore contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and fats in the right proportions.

Hemp seed health benefits

Let's list the four main benefits first:

• It lowers cholesterol
• It reduces the risk of thrombosis
• It acts as an anti-inflammatory
• It stimulates fat burning

Hemp seeds are healthy thanks to their diversity in fatty acids (omega3-6-9 and Gamma amino acid) and the right ratio of these omega fatty acids. These fatty acids are praised for their many health benefits such as anti-inflammatory effects. Because it can lower cholesterol, you reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, you also stimulate recovery from cardiovascular disease again, this because it reduces the risk of thrombosis. And of course, all the other nutrients also play a big role in working on your health. Because Hempseed is rich in alpha, beta and gamma globulin, a substance that helps strengthen our immune system and also helps replace damaged tissue with new tissue, it boosts your health with that too. Furthermore, it has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and can improve blood circulation.

Hemp seeds and their impact on hormones

Hemp seeds are a booster for your happiness hormone, as they help maintain your serotonin levels. Serotonin is the happiness hormone! Furthermore, it can also support all the ailments associated with menstruation and menopause, as gamma-lino acid has a hormone-regulating effect. It also brings a lot of good for men, as it also helps maintain testosterone levels.

Hemp seed nutritional value

Hemp seed is actually a type of nut and is rich in unsaturated fats, gamma amino acid and omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 in a perfect ratio. It contains all the essential amino acids is a source of protein, dietary fibre, vitamin B, vitamin E, iron and magnesium. In short, hemp seed is an incredibly healthy and versatile seed and is also gluten-free!

Hemp seeds, how much per day?

We'll start with how much of it you need to ingest per day to actually reap the benefits. Having at least three to four tablespoons of hemp seeds in your menu every day will go a long way and show you what this superfood can do for your health. Do you prefer working with grams? Then 30 to 40 grams a day will suffice.

Better not overheat

Be careful when heating the seeds though, as this will cause them to lose their beneficial properties and that would of course be a shame. So add them only at the last moment to your fresh soup, for example.

Recipes with hemp seeds

With this versatile product, you can, like with hemp seed oil prepare an awful lot of delicious and healthy things. Think of a smoothie with hemp seeds, sprinkle a handful on your salad or add it to your bowl of (vegetable) yoghurt or quark with other seeds and nuts. You can also use hemp seeds as an addition to your homemade humus. You name it, these seeds give that extra (healthy) bite!