In celebration of our partnership with hemp experts, Grass Roots, we’re taking a deep dive into the nutritional and wholistic benefits of consuming hemp products – from your gut to your brain!

Bursting with omega 3s, protein and fibre, these tiny powerhouses pair well with savoury dishes, desserts and smoothies. They have a nutty flavour that has been compared to a combination of sunflower seeds and pine nuts.

Hemp seeds come from the same plant that produces cannabis – but don’t worry, this stuff lacks the psychoactive compounds of its relative, so you won’t get high on anything other than nutrition. Though hemp as food has only been legal in Australia since 2017 – partly due to a few raised eyebrows at the word “hemp” – but despite the delay, it’s worth jumping aboard the train for the health benefits. You can enjoy hemp in its whole seed form – often referred to as hemp hearts – or you can also try hemp oil, which is perfect for salad dressings and drizzling on soups, along with hemp protein powder for your morning smoothies. For Grass Roots’ full range, check out their website here.

Now let’s get into the nutritional benefits of these healthful seeds.

Hemp promotes gut, heart and brain health

The gut-brain link is a well-documented phenomenon that indicates how deeply tied our diet is with our overall health – this is why eating for your brain is so important, and it’s also why adding a little hemp to your diet could do you a world of wonder. This is because hemp is rich in brain-boosting omega 3s – these humble healthy fats have a range of functions:

• Promoting healthy memory function
• Regulating mood
• Reducing risk for Alzheimer’s disease
• Improving eye, bone and skin health
• Assisting with weight loss
• Promoting gut health and bowel regulation

Other healthy fats found in hemp – linoleic acid and monounsaturated fats – are also beneficial to our whole bodies, with studies finding the latter help to balance blood sugars and prevent insulin resistance. Researchers say linoleic acid promotes weight loss, along with the medium chain triglycerides in hemp having been found to decrease appetite and curb sugar cravings.

Hemp fights fatigue

Are you a frequent napper? Or a victim of daily 3 o’clock slumps and low energy? Hemp could be the solution, and the reason for this is its slow-release energy and fibre content. Fatigue and energy problems are often caused by unstable blood sugars, with excess sugar consumption one of the major contributors. It wreaks havoc on everything from our mood to our sleep cycles, which comes back around to affect our daily energy. Hemp, on the other hand, is packed with slow-release energy and fibre which help balance our blood sugars and keep us going from morning to night.

Protein is another energy-booster, having been found to promote muscle health, support weight loss and balance our blood sugars and satiety hormones. This is where hemp comes in – it’s one of the few plant-based complete protein sources, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids. A 30-gram serving of hemp seeds has around 9.5 grams of protein – so load up on this tasty powerhouse!

How to enjoy hemp

There are countless ways to use hemp products, from adding seeds to baked goods to using hemp oil in your salad. Take a look at our favourite ways to get a good dose of hemp:

• Sprinkle some hemp seeds over your morning oatmeal.
• Add hemp seeds or hemp protein powder to your morning smoothie.
• Add hemp seeds to homemade bread, cake and muffins.
• Add hemp oil to your favourite dressing for a nuttier flavour.
• Use hemp oil to make a herb-infused oil, try rosemary, thyme and mint for extra aroma.
• Drizzle hemp oil over soups, salads and baked veggies.

Keen to get snacking on these tasty seeds? Head on over to Grass Roots to get your fix. Plus, if you’re ready for more nutrition tips and tricks, it’s time to join us for the 8-Week Program. We’ll give you the tools to ditch sugar and navigate the confusing worlds of food and health. With a team of experts rallying behind you, our program is one of the easiest ways to make sure your health goals become a reality; with ongoing support and exclusive access to recipes, meal plans and exciting content, there’s no better way to get your health back on track. JOIN NOW and take back control of your health.