Discover the health boost of hemp
Hemp is an ancient plant that has been cultivated for millennia but which in New Zealand is only now gaining mainstream acceptance for its impressive health and nutritional benefits.
It is about 10,000 years since wild hemp was first used by humans – carbon dating shows it to be one of the first farmed plants – and four months since our government announced hemp seeds were safe to eat.
For the team at Wholefoods Market & Health Store it was a bit of an eye-roll moment, although one that has allowed them to widen the range of hemp products at their Riccarton Rd store.
Hemp seed oil in capsules and bottles is now joined by hulled organic seeds ready to eat from the bag, hemp flour, and hemp protein powders from New Zealand and Australia.
They share shelf space with a large variety of dietary-specific foods, organic meats and vegetables, environmentally friendly cleaners, vitamins and boutique beauty products.
Manager Lisa Rigby couldn’t be happier. ‘‘Hemp is exceptionally nutritious and rich in healthy fats, proteins and minerals. No tree or plant species on earth has the commercial economic, health and environmental potential of hemp,’’ she says. ‘‘Over 30,000 known products can from hemp.’’
Hemp is a complete plantbased protein source. Thirty grams of hemp seed provides 11g of protein, similar to beef or lamb. At 2-3 tablespoons, this is equivalent to a quarter of the daily recommended serving of protein.
It also provides all 20 essential amino acids and is high in omega 3, 6 and 9.
be
produced
‘‘A diet high in omega fatty acids has been shown to be useful for addressing health concerns like asthma, diabetes, arthritis, skin conditions like eczema, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
‘‘It can also help reduce depression, muscular degeneration and other health problems, due to it being high in gammalinolenic acid,’’ Lisa says.
‘‘It has been shown to reduce heart disease and lessen the symptoms of menopause and PMS with its anti-inflammatory properties.
‘‘Prevention is better than cure and I believe we should all take personal responsibility over our health, and a diet high in omegas is the perfect place to start.’’
The variety of hemp products gives people plenty of options for consumption. Hemp oil can be taken daily – 15ml is recommended – and used in salads or smoothies.
Hemp hearts, as the seeds are known, can be eaten raw, sprinkled over salads or other dishes, cooked or baked into your favorite snack, sprinkled over tomato or avocado on your lunchtime sandwich, or roasted with your favorite vegetables.
Hemp flour can be used for all baking and hemp protein powder is easily added to a smoothie or bowl of cereal and yoghurt.
If that doesn’t appeal, you can also take it in a capsule form.
Environmentally, hemp products are nontoxic, biodegradable and renewable as they require no fertilisers, pesticides or chemicals and only minimal water. All hemp foods are also entirely nonpsychoactive.
❚ To explore the range of hemp and other products at Wholefoods Market & Health Store, visit them any day of the week at 52 Riccarton Rd, Riccarton. Plenty of off-street parking is available. For details, call
03 348 1823 or find them online at wholefoodshealth.co.nz.