Worldwide Hemp Craze

With the passage of the farm bill in 2018 growing, processing and cultivating hemp became a legal option for farmers and manufacturers. We are experiencing a global hemp craze because of the wide range of products that can be obtained from hemp, especially CBD.

There is no denying the fact that hemp has gathered a lot of attention because of the exponential demand and interest in CBD products. Hemp is a type of Cannabis plant that contains a very little amount of intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol.  THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the major sedating compound of the cannabis/ hemp plant. This is the sole reason why hemp has been declared legal and any product that is obtained from hemp is also legal.

We have designed this blog to let you know about the statistics of the latest hemp craze around the globe and various products that can be made by using hemp and its constituents.

Why hemp is popular?

Hemp is a variant of the Cannabis plant that contains very littleconcentration of intoxicating THC. THC is the compound that causes euphoria when consumed via any route. Usually, good-quality hemp plants contain THC concentration of 0.3 % or less. This concentration of THC is so negligible that it does not cause sedation.

Another reason why hemp is very popular is because of the many benefits it offers. Hemp is usually popular for its industrial use such as for its fiber. However, it also provides many health and nutritional benefits.

Benefits of hemp

As mentioned before hemp is not only used for industrial application but it also provides nutritional and medicinalbenefits. In fact, research indicates that it was used as a primary food source during the middle ages. Hemp seed and hemp seed oil are the main sources of nutrition of a hemp plant. Let's take a detailed look at the benefits of hemp

Source of nutrients

Fiber is a very important part of a diet. Studies have found that individuals who consume high amounts of fiber have fewer chances of developing diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and gastric issues.

Hemp seeds contain insoluble and soluble fibers, 80% and 20% respectively. Soluble fiber produces a jelly-like substance which is a valuable source of nutrition for bacteria living in our gut. This fiber is also helpful in reducing blood sugar spikes and cholesterol levels.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool so that the ways and food can pass through the digestive system easily. This type of fiber has been linked to decreasing the risk of diabetes. However, both forms of these fibers can only be obtained from shelled hemp seeds because fiber is mostly concentrated in the shell of the seeds which is often removed.

Hemp seeds are also a rich source of protein that is required by our body to produce enzymes and hormones. Protein is required by almost every cell of a body as it contributes to developinghealthy blood, skin, bones, cartilage, and muscles.

The protein content of hemp seeds is also one of the trending topics nowadays. In 2010 researchers found that the amount of protein found in hemp seeds is equal to or greater than many grains, pulses, and nuts. Protein obtained from hemp seed has become so popular and promising that many companies have started producing it in health supplements.

Hemp plant is considered a complete protein source that can provide all the essential and nonessential amino acids. The bodycan produce certain amino acids but there are some essential amino acids that must be consumed from a diet. In the plantkingdom complete sources of protein a very rare because they often lack certain essential amino acids. Hemp seeds contain significant amounts of glutamic acid arginine, cysteine, and methionine amino acids. The digestibility of hemp protein is also better than many nuts, legumes, and grains.

Hemp seeds contain high concentrations of the beneficial Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. The concentration of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids in the hemp plant is greater than many other plant’s seeds. These fatty acids are known to provide benefits such as improved cellular, cardiovascular health and immune responses.

Heart health

It is important to get enough good fats in our diet to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Hemp seeds are a rich source of healthy fats i.e., Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. It is a known fact that they can be helpful in improving heart health bymanaging cholesterol, blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

Furthermore, Hemp seeds are a rich source of arginine which produces nitric oxide in the human body. These gas molecules of nitric oxide have the ability to relax and dilate blood vessels resulting in reduced blood pressure and risk of heart diseases.

The gamma-linolenic acid obtained from hemp seeds is also linked to lowering inflammation that may decrease the risk of heart disease. So the addition of hemp oil to our diet may be helpful in managing the risk of heart issues.

Reduce PMS

Premenstrual syndrome is a very uncomfortable condition. It is believed that prolactin is the major cause of negative symptoms such as blotting, depression, irritability and breast tenderness. Studies have found that gamma-linolenic acid can reduce the effects of prolactin in our bodies. It appears that hemp oil is a rich source of this gamma-linolenic acid therefore hemp seed oil may be helpful in relieving the symptoms.

Eczema

Eczema is a condition that leads to itchiness and skin dryness. Early research studies have found that using hemp seed oil may help in reducing symptoms of eczema. The combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in hemp seed oil works wonders for eczema. Hemp seed oil helps in balancing the concentration of lipids in our blood and therefore reduces itchiness and skin dryness.

Menopause

Just like how hemp seeds are helpful for the management of premenstrual syndrome they may also help in reducing symptoms of menopause. Many studies have found that gamma-linolenic acid may help in managing the annoying symptoms of menopause. Although the exact mechanism is still not known scientists believe that GLA found in hemp seeds may be helpful for menopause as it regulates hormone imbalances and reduces inflammation.

Weight loss

For people looking for a remedy to reduce weight eating hemp seeds maybe e beneficial. Hemp seeds have incredible satiety. Consuming the seeds satisfy the appetite better than saturated fats and carbohydrates. As a result, the person feels less need to eat as the hunger is satisfied really fast.

Conclusion

Although hemp has become very famous in the West recently its seeds were a staple food providing amazing nutritional value in many societies. Hemp seeds are the source of beneficial protein, minerals, and healthy fatty acids. These compounds not only make a healthy diet but also help in managing various health concerns. It is worth knowing that the beneficial shell of hemp seeds may contain traces of intoxicating THC.