In our last article, ‘What is Cannabis?’, we provided a brief overview of some products that can be made from cannabis. This month we’ll talk about why cannabis is a great food option.
We’ve all heard the sayings – ‘Food is medicine’ and ‘You are what you eat’. People are becoming more aware of the truth in these sayings and are paying much closer attention to what ingredients are in their food as well as how the food is processed. As of 2018, the food segment of cannabis was worth just over $120 million with a projection of just under $140 million in sales in 2019. As more people become aware of it as a superfood, cannabis will start becoming a bigger food product. You may ask, ‘What makes a food a superfood?’
Good question! While the term is often used as a marketing tool, the term was first used around WWI by the United Fruit Company to promote bananas. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a superfood as “a food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person’s health.” So why would cannabis be put into the superfood category or more specifically – why cannabis seed?
Cannabis seeds are high in unsaturated fatty acids such as Omegas 3 & 6. Since the human body cannot produce essential fatty acids it must absorb them from the diet. This makes cannabis seeds a great option for vegetarians and vegans as most people rely on fish for Omega fatty acids.
Cannabis seeds are also a great source of protein! Three tablespoons of seeds contain about 9.47g of protein. During an experimental phase for Maine Hempworks, Joe and I created a cannabis seed protein powder after processing the seed ourselves – hard work and very time consuming to do by hand! We added some vegetable and nut powders as well as cocoa and stevia to add some sweetness. We then bought three brands of cannabis protein powder to compare how we did versus what’s out in the marketplace today. Wow, were we surprised!
Cannabis protein powder is gritty and tastes very earthy – and our recipe was smoother and much better tasting, so all in all we were very happy with our version! Cannabis protein is superior to whey and soy because the body absorbs it better. Cannabis seed is also high in fiber, vitamins and minerals – just three tablespoons contains about 1.2g of fiber, which can help with weight management and overall gut health as well as help stabilize blood sugar.
Cannabis seeds are also high in Vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorous, and Potassium. They are also a good source of dietary Iron, Zinc, and B vitamins, including: Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Pyridoxine, and Folate (Folic Acid).
While cannabis seed is a very fine ingredient, there are other ways to use the plant as food as well. You can use the leaf as micro greens in salads while the plant is still small, or use the whole plant as a tea. You can you the oil and flour in baked goods like cookies, bread and crackers, though you shouldn’t use it as a frying oil as it will break down under high heat losing any health value. Cannabis seed oil can be used as a salad dressing but due to the strong nutty flavor, so feel free to experiment and find what works for you! Use it in hummus, pesto, even mayonnaise or as part of a marinade! You can use cannabis milk to drink and make even more foods, such as ice cream, candies, and other baked goods, also smoothies and in anything else that you’d use regular cows milk for.
Several studies* have found that hemp seed extract has antioxidant effects in lab tests.
These effects may result from cannabidiol (CBD) content and may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, and may also help to regulate immune system function. It’s also believed that with their high Omega fatty acids content the seeds are heart healthy and may decrease the risk of heart failure. This benefit may also help manage the symptoms of chronic diseases, such as: metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease. There is still plenty of research to do, but cannabis as a food certainly has a promising outlook.
You can easily find cannabis seed, usually called hemp hearts, in all health food stores and even your regular grocery stores – we’ve even seen them in Walmart!
In closing, we want to leave you with some food ideas to try – use the seeds in yogurt, salads, granola, or just by the handful. The nutty flavor is a great compliment to many other foods as well. Try adding some cannabis protein powder to your smoothie for a little extra fiber and vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. We believe as more people learn of the health benefits cannabis provides the more popular it will become and the more unique uses people will find!
*Food Chemistry, vol.262, Oct 2018 pgs 56-66, Surgical Neurology Apr 26, 2018 published online Skin Therapy Letter vol. 23 number 1, Jan. 1, 2018
Keith Pillsbury and Joseph Weeks are the entrepreneurial minds behind Maine Hempworks – where they focus on handcrafted; hemp-based personal care products and hope to inform and educate the public about the wonders of hemp!
