Hemp. Some people use its fibrous stems to make rope. And it’s true that looking for a plant from which strings are made may seem like an odd place to look for something that can help dieters succeed in their weight loss efforts. But surprisingly, the hemp plant provides just that. Hemp seeds are full of oil, and cold-pressed hemp oil is, in fact, one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, and as a bonus, it helps suppress your appetite.
Hemp comes in various forms suitable for dietary consumption. For example, the seeds can be eaten raw, ground into a meal called hemp protein, sprouted, made into hemp milk (similar to soy milk), or used as a tea.
Similar in many ways to flax seed, hemp seed contains high amounts of protein and its oil is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). In fact, hemp contains about 20 percent highly digestible protein, and omega 3 EFAs make up about 22 percent of its oil.
It is the omega 3s that give hemp its ability to suppress appetite. Recent research published in the journal Appetite showed that study volunteers who ate an omega-3-rich dinner were significantly less hungry, both afterward and two hours later, than those whose dinners did not contain omega-3s but were otherwise virtually identical. It turns out that omega-3 oils somehow help regulate the hunger signal center of the brain.
Other research has shown that the benefits of hemp extend beyond appetite suppression. Research has also shown that hemp helps alleviate eczema symptoms, and its omega 3s are known to help improve memory and brain function.
When you’re doing all you can to lose weight, finding natural ways to control your appetite gives you a definite head start on your efforts. And one of the best proven items to add to your appetite suppression arsenal is hemp…its seeds, oil, and protein.
