Benefits of hemp milk? Look no further than the hemp seed itself!

There are so many different types of seeds in the world, and although many of them are beneficial to your health, none compare to the famous Hemp seeds!

Hemp seeds are superstars in the seed world, containing exceptional nutritional value.

It is truly amazing how many remedies/treatments are made from the hemp plant that can help aid our illnesses and discomforts, and hemp milk is no exception!

Hemp seeds come into the world through the hemp plant, scientifically called the Cannabis sativa plant. (1)

And yes, they do come from the same family of cannabis (marijuana plant) but there’s no need to worry about hallucinations, for the THC levels are extremely low.

These seeds are flourishing with vitamins and minerals and can deliver an impressive amount of protein to your body.

By the end of this article, I am positive you will be adding hemp milk to your daily diet.

In this article, I will show you all the benefits of hemp milk that can boost your health, along with tips on how to use it and make your own hemp milk at home.

Hemp milk and THC content:

 

Extracted from Marijuana, Hemp seeds are full of nutrients which earned them a place on the super-food list!

However, some people may be suspicious of hemp seed milk thinking that it probably contains THC.

Nonetheless, there is a huge difference between cannabis and hemp.

This confusion is mostly because of the packaging of hemp milk products which only fueled by using marijuana leaf pictures.

Indeed, hemp milk and CBD products both come from cannabis plants botanically known as Cannabis Sativa.

In fact, CBD products are made using the leaves, flowers, and stems of the plant which contain THC compounds.

On the other hand, only the seeds are used to make hemp milk, therefore it contains no CBD (nor THC). (2)

So can we get high from drinking hemp milk?

No, that is impossible!

Hemp for dietary consumption is different from medicinal plants.

You can say they are marijuana plants grown without tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). (3)

Furthermore, even if dietary hemp plants contain a small amount of THC, it will be in the leaves, flowers, and stems with 0% content in the seeds.

Benefits of hemp milk:

Hemp milk is basically a combination of milled hemp seeds and water (possible use of other ingredients for color or flavor).

Water is full of essential minerals, adding it to the nutrients found in hemp seed makes hemp milk one of the most nutritious plant-based milk.

Hemp milk is a great replacement for people that deal with lactose intolerance or people who don’t like consuming soy and gluten products. (4)

This plant-based milk contains all the essential amino acids that we need.

It can replace cos milk as it is also rich in protein, vitamins, and many minerals.

Studies have shown that plant-based protein is much easier to absorb compared to other types of protein, including the one found n cow milk.

Back in the day, people used hemp milk as a replacement for breast milk for their newborn babies!

Hemp milk nutrition:

Natural hemp milk is free of carbohydrates but most commercial products add other carbs using another compound.

Some of the substances they use are brown rice, sugar, and other substances that increase the number of carbohydrates in hemp milk.

One cup of hemp milk is the daily serving per person and it offers:

• Calories: 100 Calories
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbs: 5g
• Total Fat: 7g (with 6g unsaturated)
• Sugar: 6g
• D vitamin : 30%
• B2 vitamin B2: 35%
• B12 vitamin: 20%
• Vitamin E: 100%
• Calcium: 20%
• Phosphorus: 20%
• Iron: 10%
• Magnesium: 10%

Commercial hemp milk offers around 6g of carbohydrates, 5g of sugar, and 1g of fibers.

One glass of hemp milk offers 7g of fats 6g of which are unsaturated fats, however, this may vary depending on the brand.

As for the protein content, hemp milk offers around 5g of quality protein per one cup which is around 10% of our daily needs.

Also, hemp milk offers a wide range of vitamins and minerals including, Iron, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin B2, vitamin B12.

Some of the commercial products offer 20% of our daily need in calcium per cup and it could even reach 50% in certain brands.

In addition, hemp milk contains 20% of our daily need in phosphorus, 10% of Iron, and 10% of magnesium per one cup.

Hemp milk is also a great source of vitamin D, vitamin B2, vitamin B12 and offers respectively 30%, 35%, 25% of our daily needs per cup.

Hemp milk benefits:

Proteins:

Hemp seeds are among the best types of seeds in terms of the quality of protein it offers.

In fact, hemp milk made of hemp seeds offers all the 9 essential amino acids with the addition of edestin, an amino acid found only in hemp seeds. (5)

For instance, amino acids are the basis of all body processes including: (6)

• Repairing tissues.
• Promoting physical endurance.
• Increasing energy levels.
• Regulating blood sugar levels.
• Stimulating and activating the immune system.
• Participating in the formation of antibodies.
• Converting tryptophan to serotonin boosts the mood.
• Regenerating neurotransmitters.

Essential fatty acids:

Hemp milk offers a good amount of fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6. (7)

These essential fatty acids must be consumed externally as the body is unable to produce them.

Among the health benefits of omega 3-6 in hemp milk: (8)

• Maintaining brain function.
• Reducing bad cholesterol.
• Repairing damaged tissues.
• Regulating blood pressure.
• Boost the immunity system with its antioxidants properties.

Vitamins:

Although hemp milk contains modest amounts of vitamins, it can certainly help you meet your daily needs.

Particularly, a cup of hemp milk will provide your body with 100% of its daily need in vitamin E.

Also, the same amount of 1 cup of hemp milk offers more than 30% of your daily need in vitamin D and vitamin B2.

These vitamins in hemp milk combined offer many health benefits including: (9)

• Helping the body produce hemoglobin (red blood cells).
• Reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its antioxidant characteristics.

Minerals:

Usually, seeds are known for their richness in minerals and hemp milk is full of them!

In fact, hemp milk contains more Iron and magnesium than most other plant-based milk.

These two minerals are very essential and any deficiency could lead to serious health issues.

Usually, our diets are poor in Iron which is why drinking hemp milk regularly would help to reach the daily need in this mineral.

As for the health benefits, Iron is essential for the transportation of oxygen and the production of red blood cells. (10)

In addition, the magnesium content in hemp milk contributes to the preservation of muscles and nerves.

It also helps to regulate the sleeping cycle, stress management, and the well-being of our mental health.

Benefits of hemp milk for kids:

Hemp milk is higher than other vegetarian plant-based milk in terms of nutritional values. (11)

It has a very rich combination of cholesterol-free fibers, protein, and vitamins that don’t exist in cow milk.

Hemp milk promotes the overall well-being of the heart of a child thanks to its richness in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.

Also, this milk would provide 10 essential amino acids necessary for your child’s healthy growth.

Among those amino acids, hemp milk offers Glycan acid, Glyamine, Glycerin, paraquin, asbestos acid…

With 5g of protein per cup, hemp milk is by far the gentlest form of milk and kids can easily digest it.

In addition, it would make a great replacement for kids with dairy allergies.

Almost 30% of the protein in hemp milk is Albumin, which helps boost the immunity of kids and gives them a better resistance against diseases.

Last but not least, offering hemp milk to your kid will stimulate his brain function by offering him the necessary brain nutrition.

Is it okay to offer hemp milk to infants?

Nutritionists recommend offering hemp milk to little infants as it is totally safe and can offer great nutritional value.

However, this would strongly depend on the manufacturer and the way hemp plants were cultivated in the first place.

One thing scientists agree on is that hemp milk does not contain THC, therefore it doesn’t cause any psychological effects on infants

As for the age limit, you can offer hemp milk as a complementary dietary product to infants of 7 months and above. (12)

Don’t worry no matter how much they drink, it doesn’t cause them any addiction.

Getting hemp milk benefits:

Mostly compared to almond milk for its color and taste, hemp milk is slightly sweet and has a nutty flavor.

Even though its taste is not neutral taste compared to oat milk, some people choose hemp milk because of that “nutty” taste!

Drinking hemp milk will not make you tripping, but it will certainly provide your body with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals necessary for overall better health.

According to Alissa Rumsey from the Academy of Nutrition and diabetes: “a cup of hemp milk can provide almost all the recommended daily intakes”! (13)

You can drink hemp milk on its own, or you can add some honey or syrup to it.

Hemp milk is soy-free, gluten-free, and lactose-free which makes it a great alternative for those who want to avoid dairy products.

Also, you can add this milk to any hot or cold recipe or even include it in your baking dishes.

In addition, you can benefit from the protein content in hemp milk by adding it to your cappuccino and other coffee drinks.

This milk can be used instead of regular milk for smoothies, coffees, Thea, cereal, or cacao drinks.

Some people use hemp milk also in baking cakes, desserts, bread, or biscuits.

It should be noted that the best way to preserve hemp milk products is to consume them cold without heating them.

Apart from losing some of the nutrients, you can still heat hemp milk and use it to add creaminess and nuttiness to your recipes.

As for the taste, it resembles that of a “raw apple” when you drink it on its own but it will go unnoticed with milkshakes and juices.

Homemade boosted hemp milk benefits:

If you want to ensure you have all of the nutrients in hemp milk, there is no better way than making it on your own.

This would be the best choice especially for mothers who want to offer their kids and infants the benefits of hemp milk.

In order to make hemp milk at home:

• No matter the quantity you want to make, follow the rule of 15% hemp seeds and 85% water.
• In this recipe, we put 1 cup of hemp seeds in a bowl and add 5 cups of water to it.
• Let the seeds soak overnight for about 12 hours.
• On the next day, rinse the seeds and refill the bowl with 5 new cups of water.
• Pour the mixture into your blender and blend it until it becomes white.
• You can then use a clean kitchen towel to filter the mixture while pressuring to extract most of the milk.
• That’s it! Store the milk in a glass air-tight jar in the fridge and use it within the next 4 days.

Since the basic two components of homemade hemp milk are seeds and water, the lifespan of the drink depends entirely on the lifespan of the seeds.

To extend the lifespan of your hemp milk, keep it in the fridge while making sure it has the least amount of air exposure.

By doing that, your homemade hemp milk will be fresh and can remain edible for a whole week.

 

 

 

References:

(1): hemp | Description, Products, Seeds, Fiber, & Uses | Britannica
(2): Hemp seed as food | Ministry of Health NZ
(3): Hemp vs. Marijuana | Think Hempy Thoughts (miis.edu)
(4): Hemp Milk: Nutrition, Benefits and How to Make It (healthline.com)
(5): Hemp Seed Protein Is 65% Globulin Edestin A Strong Building Block! | North American Hemp & Grain Co. Ltd (hempcanadabulk.com)
(6): Interactive Nutrition Facts Label – Protein (fda.gov)
(7): Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Hemp Milk? Pros and Cons, Nutrition, and More (webmd.com)
(8): The importance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids | Eufic
(9): 21 Vegetarian Foods That Are Loaded With Iron (healthline.com)
(10): Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus
(11): The 7 Healthiest Milk Options (healthline.com)
(12): Hemp Milk For Babies: The Almost SUPER Food For Your Baby! • BabyDotDot
(13): Why Are People So Obsessed With Hemp Milk? | Glamour