Hemp Protein: A Complete Guide to Its Benefits and Uses

Hemp is a rich source of plant-based protein, making it a great alternative for a plant-based diet. Specifically, hemp seeds have a rich nutrition profile, with many people considering them a superfood.

Hemp seeds are technically a nut that can be eaten raw or, more commonly, as a powder made up from ground seeds. Both ways provide an excellent source of nutrition and many health benefits and uses.

Below, we explore the benefits and uses of hemp protein as many people are turning to hemp protein as a natural way to boost wellness. Perhaps the most popular product is hemp protein powder, made by grinding hemp seeds into a fine powder.

Why Choose Hemp Protein

Hemp protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that our body can’t produce on its own in consistent amounts. Other examples of complete proteins include fish, eggs, poultry, dairy, beef, pork, and soy.

Complete protein sources are rare in the plant kingdom, as many plants don’t contain the amino acid lysine. This makes hemp protein one of the best choices for those following a plant-based diet.

One big advantage of hemp protein is that it doesn’t require close to as much processing as other proteins. While other proteins, like soy, require several steps and an extraction process to create a usable protein powder, hemp protein simply entails grinding hemp seeds into a fine powder.

There are several benefits to eating lean proteins, including promoting lean muscle mass, boosting metabolism, and promoting digestive health. Unlike many sources of animal proteins, hemp protein doesn’t contain any saturated fats or cholesterol, making it a healthier choice.

Hemp Protein: Benefits and Uses

Hemp protein is full of nutritious compounds needed to ensure optimal health and well-being. Here are some reasons hemp protein is becoming increasingly popular in wellness routines.

Easily Digestible

Typically, humans find it easier to digest animal protein than plant protein. However, research suggests that people can readily digest hemp protein. This could be due to its edistin and albumin content, which the body can easily digest.

Digestibility is an important factor in evaluating protein quality in food because it affects the bioavailability of the amino acids. The more digestible the protein source, the more amino acids you get. Amino acids play an important role in various processes, including tissue repair and cell maintenance.

Supports Bone Health

Hemp protein is packed with many nutrients that help keep your bones strong, such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Calcium is essential for bone remodeling, which entails replacing old and damaged bone cells with new ones, thus maintaining bone health. Magnesium and phosphorus are part of the bone matrix and important for supporting bone health.

Good for Kidney Health

Some evidence suggests that hemp protein may promote kidney health. Moreover, it could be especially beneficial for people with chronic kidney disease.

A study from 2011 reports that kidney-diseased rats experienced an improvement in renal health when given either hemp protein or soy protein. Moreover, the rats exhibited less heart damage due to kidney disease.

Of course, this study needs to be replicated in humans to determine the efficacy of hemp protein in supporting kidney health in humans.

Supports Skin Health

The 3:1 ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids found in hemp makes it great for supporting skin health. Omega 3 and 6 are the “building blocks of the skin,” ensuring it remains smooth, soft, and supple.

Hemp protein also contains high amounts of vitamin E, which helps promote the production of collagen – a protein that maintains skin elasticity. Moreover, as an antioxidant, vitamin E may help fend off the type of cell damage that leads to premature aging.

Good Source of Fiber

Hemp protein is rich in fiber, with one serving (four tablespoons) containing approximately 11 grams of fiber. This is approximately a third of the daily recommended intake for adults.

Other plant-based protein powders, like soy and rice, are highly refined and contain very little fiber.

There are several benefits to high-fiber diets, including healthier gut bacteria and improved blood sugar.

Heart Health

There is another, arguably more important, benefit to the omega fatty acid content of hemp protein. Omega 3 and omega 6 protect the heart and lower the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.

Final Thoughts

Hemp protein is a complete protein that packs a nutritional punch. When used as part of a balanced diet, hemp protein products can provide several health benefits, including supporting bone health, kidney health, skin health, and heart health. It also provides a good source of fiber, which can support gut health and improve blood sugar.

An excellent alternative to animal protein, hemp protein is great for those following a plant-based diet. But thanks to its lack of saturated fats and cholesterol, it may be a healthier choice even for those not purposely avoiding animal products.