Adding hemp seed to your diet can help modulate gut hormone levels in the blood and promote a feeling of fullness after eating.
That is according to a “first of its kind” study researchers at the University of Aberdeen’s Rowett Institute have conducted.
They have published the results in the European Journal of Nutrition.
Hemp is a rich source of:
- Protein;
- Dietary fibre;
- Healthy fats;
- Micronutrient minerals include magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and zinc.
Hemp seed
The Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services-funded study looked at the impact on satiety and gut hormone levels after eating hemp and other high protein crop products compared to meat.
Researchers found that hemp and buckwheat flours, when baked into bread, were valuable sources of dietary amino acids.
Participants recorded higher feelings of fullness after eating, a contributing factor to helping us regulate our food intake.
The results prompt a new collaboration with one of the UK’s largest food producers to further explore the crop’s nutritional and ecological properties.
This includes one co-funded by the Good Hemp UK – a partnership initiated through an MRC Proximity to Discovery Industry Engagement Fund (P2D) grant – and CONACYT, the Mexican Council for Science & Technology.
The new study will explore further understanding of the nutritional attributes of hempseed protein and fibre and their role in diversifying our dietary choices.
Dietary protein diversification
Dr Madalina Neacsu, Research Fellow at the Rowett Institute, said:
“Hemp is ideally placed to provide dietary protein diversification, as well as to boost daily fibre recommendations.
“It has wide and versatile uses and is a symbol of the new agricultural revolution.”
With this new collaboration, we are seeking to understand how re-establishing its growth in Scotland could offer a more sustainable alternative to importing protein-rich crops like soya bean.”
David Shaw from Good Hemp said: “We have always known that hemp has amazing nutritional and environmental credentials.”
“However, it has been incredibly motivating working with the Rowett Institute so far. We cannot wait for this project to dive deeper into the benefits of hemp.”
“These new findings have made us even more excited about the potential that hemp can deliver to both people and planet, as the world strives to find sustainable sources of nutrition at this critical point in history.”
“Knowing that hemp can make you stay fuller for longer aids a multitude of people.”
“We are looking forward to creating some great new hemp products for the Good Hemp portfolio as a result,” he concluded.
Source: thatsfarming
Image: Unsplashed