People can’t seem to get enough of hemp and hemp-based products ever since it was essentially made legal again via the 2018 Farm Bill that was signed into law back in December 2018.
As the popularity of hemp grows new discoveries are made about the various conditions that hemp can help with, such as anxiety and depression, for instance.
As the versatility of hemp continues to astound more people, the title of this article will no doubt, pique their interest some more. There is such a thing as hemp milk, and there are many reasons why you should be drinking it regularly.
Hemp Milk 101
Hemp milk is made by grounding up hemp seeds and mixing it with water. That’s it. Hemp seeds, just like what the title says, are incredibly nutritious because it is packed with nutrients that offer various health benefits and you are consuming them in liquid form. About a third of hemp seed is fat, making it a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Numerous studies show that these two essential fatty acids are beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Hemp seeds, which technically are nuts, are also a good source of protein with 25 percent of its calories coming from protein. The seeds (or nuts) are also rich in gamma-linoleic acid, the health benefits of which will be discussed later. Other nutrients that come in the tiny hemp seeds include vitamin E, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Can Hemp Milk Get You High?
Some who will be reading this at this point might be wondering if you can get high on hemp milk, which is not true. Much of the confusion between hemp and marijuana comes from stoners who mistakenly use the terms “hemp” and “weed” interchangeably. In reality, however, there is very little chance that you’ll get stoned on hemp.
Although hemp and marijuana both belong to the cannabis sativa plant species, they are two distinct strains. The marijuana strains contain between 20 percent to 40 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive compound that gives you a high. Hemp only contains around .3 percent THC. Hemp, therefore, has no chance of making you high.
Claimed Benefits of Hemp Milk
- Improved cardiovascular health: Hemp seeds are also a good source of arginine, an amino acid that triggers the production of nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide has properties that make the blood vessels relax and dilate. This lowers blood pressure and promotes good heart health.
- Pain management: As mentioned earlier, hemp seeds are a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Studies have shown that GLA can help manage the pain associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause.
- Improved digestive system health: Hemp seeds are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes good digestive system health. Soluble fiber can help manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber helps improve bowel movements.
Other claimed benefits of consuming hemp seeds include improved brain function, better mood, increased bone density and enhanced immune system response. If you want to enjoy these benefits, all you need to make hemp milk is hemp seeds, water and a blender. Blend a half cup of hemp seeds and four cups of water for two minutes, enjoy and store the remaining milk in the fridge in a glass jar. If you don’t want the gritty texture, you can pass the liquid through cheesecloth prior to drinking.