Hemp Seeds Found Highly Nutritious

Hemp fiber known to be used in a number of textiles and hemp oil for cosmetic products, has diversified its applications.In most recent news, hemp seeds have been found to comprise great nutritional value. According to the World-Spectator April 14, 2008 article,("Hemp Nutrition Holds Value-Added Potential") ' The Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance ( CHTA ) is spearheading a comprehensive research and market development program, the goal of which is to sustain the industry's current rapid growth by establishing and disseminating science-based information about the crop's dietary attributes."

The article states, "We're tracking retail sales of hemp products and, overall, the markets here and in the United States have been growing consistently by about 30 per cent per year since 2001,' said Gero Leson, an environmental scientist and consultant. The research analyzed a number of samples, covering the four commercially relevant hemp varieties grown in Canada and one emerging variety. 'The first finding was that hemp oil offers a highly balanced fatty acid spectrum, particularly its content of omega-3 fatty acids. It's the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 that makes hemp oil unique and particularly attractive compared to other crops,' he said. 'It's also the presence of two 'higher' omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids not commonly present in other natural oilseeds that adds another good quality.' Also found was that hemp seeds offer a veritable bonanza of the nutrients which are often lacking in the common North American diet. The product is a very good source of phosphorous, magnesium, manganese and iron, and a good source of potassium and zinc. Hemp seeds are also good sources of vitamin B1 and folic acid, as well as several phytosterols."

The article adds, "Companion studies coordinated by the CHTA have likewise found that hemp protein is very balanced and easily digestible, further enhancing its nutritional characteristics, and, because of these qualities, Leson says hemp stacks up quite well in comparative studies with other nuts and oilseeds. 'The one concern would be that competition for acreage with other crops, and rising hemp seed prices may put a little dent into those prospects, but I guess that's the same for a number of other commodities. The fact that commercial hemp farming remains illegal in the United States gives Canada a real leg up to cash in on that."