Hemp Hearts: Nutritional Powerhouse & Health Benefits

The nutritionally dense hemp heart (or hemp seed) is a widely available health food item. Hemp hearts can be purchased whole and eaten raw. They are also used in a wide variety of packaged foods such as hemp milk, hemp nut butter, granola, ice cream and waffles.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Hemp hearts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Regular consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with reduced risk for heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease.

Prevention

• Consuming much more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to increased incidence of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, skin problems and mood disorders. Because hemp hearts are high in omega-3 and low in omega-6, they can improve health by helping to balance this ratio.

Vitamins and Minerals

• Hemp hearts are a rich source of vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and iron. This nutrient density--combined with fatty acids--may help explain why consuming hemp hearts appears to improve skin conditions, hair health, blood flow and energy levels.

Use

• Toss whole, raw seeds in cereal, smoothies, yogurt and salad. If you add them to stir fry, pasta or rice dishes, wait until the meal is cooked; high temperatures destroy essential fatty acids.

Storage

• To keep hemp hearts fresh, store them in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. If you buy hemp hearts in several pound bags, you may want to store some in the freezer.