Hemp protein – properties, application, consumption

Last update: April 20th, 2022

min. reading

Hemp protein is a valuable vegetable protein which has gained great popularity among vegetarians and enthusiasts of healthy eating. This is because this type of protein not only allows you to make up for deficiencies in your diet, but it also adds a great variety of unique ingredients to your diet.
The composition of hemp protein is very interesting and confirms that this is a product worth considering as part of a balanced daily diet. How to use hemp protein and what are its properties?

Hemp protein – What is it?

Hemp protein is a plant protein that is produced from the seeds of true hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. sativa) also known as fibre hemp. This strain is often associated with the popular Cannabis sativa L. var. Indica, yet has little in common with it. The difference between the two species is very clear in the very appearance of the plant. A characteristic feature of true hemp is that it contains very little amount of the psychoactive substance THC (less than 0.2%), whereas cannabis can contain up to 30%.

Hemp protein is produced as a powder, which is obtained by grinding hemp seed very finely. This process involves removing the shells from the seeds, which are then subjected to cold grinding. In this way oil is eliminated from the seeds. After grinding, a homogeneous mass is obtained, which can be used as a natural hemp protein. The finished product is distinguished by its mild, nutty flavour and smooth texture (1).

Hemp protein – properties

Hemp protein has become extremely popular among vegans who are physically active and who were looking for a good quality plant-based protein. However, it is a product worth considering even if you are not physically active or if you follow a diet including meat. Hemp protein has a unique composition and is very nutritious.
Most plant proteins are considered by experts to be less nutritious than animal proteins. What does it look like in the case of hemp protein? Well, scientific research confirms that it is a very good component of a balanced diet, which has a composition rich in nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the human body.

Hemp protein is a source of energy

Hemp protein contains a decent amount of fatty acids, which are ideal energy fuel for the body. Due to the fat content, proteins take much longer to break down in the body, and thus the energy is released slower. So, consuming hemp protein can give us a good kick for the day.

Beneficial for your hair

Hemp protein contains Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids in the right proportions. And omega fatty acids are recommended in the diet for healthy hair, as it is estimated that they can boost hair recovery, at the same time strengthening your hair.
Hemp protein enhances muscle growth and regeneration
Protein is one of the most important building blocks of muscles, therefore the demand for this component is higher among athletes. Although most active people rely on animal proteins, hemp protein is most popular among vegans who are physically active. And that’s because this type of protein has better digestibility than most plant proteins.

It aids digestion

Hemp protein contains as much as 21 g of fibre per 100 g of the product! And it is fibre that is responsible for the proper functioning of your digestive system. But not only that! With a fibre-rich diet, you don’t feel hungry as often, so it reduces your desire to snack (not necessarily healthy snacks!) between meals. Plant hemp protein can prevent constipation and also become a good component of a weight loss diet. Moreover, fibre can extend the feeling of satiety, which contribute to reducing the desire to snack1. Fibre is an ingredient that’s essential in your diet if you’re trying to maintain your weight, care about your silhouette, or want to put an end to unhealthy snacking. It’s also key to a healthy and properly functioning digestive system!

Contains a lot of essential amino acids

Amino acids are compounds that perform many important functions in the body. Some of them are produced by the human body on its own, but others need to be supplied from the outside. The latter are called essential amino acids, and among them there are amino acids such as phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, lysine and histidine.
Essential amino acids affect the proper functioning of hormones, support the functioning of the nervous and muscular systems, and regulate metabolism. They are also responsible for biochemical processes in the body, so they are necessary, for example, for liver regeneration2.

Hemp protein is a source of all essential amino acids, which means that it can provide your body with components that it cannot synthesize on its own, and which are necessary for the proper functioning of many systems.

Hemp protein to support weight loss

Hemp protein is often recommended by nutritionists in weight loss diets. This is because this ingredient contains significant amounts of fibre, which not only improves bowel function, but also increases the feeling of satiety, thus reducing hunger, which can prevent snacking between meals3.

Consuming hemp protein can prevent cardiovascular disease

Here again, unsaturated fatty acids and valuable amino acids play an important role, as they allow hemp protein to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Hemp protein contains arginine, an amino acid used to produce nitric oxide in the human body. One the functions of nitric oxide is to dilate blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart disease4.

Hemp protein offers protection against bone calcification

More than 75 million cases of bone calcification, otherwise known as osteoporosis, are detected each year. The disease usually affects people over 60, but old age does not necessarily mean you will develop it. This is because the GLA and EPA fats found in hemp protein can effectively increase bone density, thus protecting you against the onset of osteoporosis5.

Hemp protein is better than soy protein

Soy protein is familiar to virtually anyone on a plant-based diet. But hemp turns out to be a better alternative to soy. Why is that? Hemp protein is better absorbed by the body. And its consumption causes bloating or allergies (unfortunately, some people are allergic to soy). Soy proteins are also produced by a different method than hemp protein, and thus they may lose some of their nutritional value or substances which hemp protein contains.

Hemp protein is a complete protein

Hemp protein is called a complete protein for a reason. This is due to its content of essential amino acids. These are the kind of amino acids that we need to supply our bodies with from the outside, because we can’t produce them, but we need them to support a healthy diet.

Hemp protein ideal in a plant-based diet

Hemp protein is 100% vegan and vegetarian. People who follow a plant-based diet can successfully incorporate it into their diet and not worry about whether it’s right for them.
Hemp protein supports the brain and heart
And that’s because of its content of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 unsaturated fatty acids! They reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks! Both hemp protein, hemp oil and hemp seeds are superfoods that improve the function of the cardiovascular and nervous systems!

Hemp protein is appropriate for allergy sufferers

Plant hemp protein contains no allergenic agents, gluten or lactose. It can be successfully used by people who cannot consume hemp or other protein for various reasons. This is a great alternative to other protein products.
Hempking Hemp Protein is an organic product
The hemp from which our protein is made contains no pesticides or herbicides. No artificial fertilizers are used on the crops, and no GMO crops are used in its production. It is an all-natural and organic product that has been EU Organic certified, which confirms the biological purity of Hemp Protein.

Use of Hemp Protein

Hemp Protein is a great alternative to the standard whey protein used by athletes to supplement their daily protein intake. Active people have a higher protein requirement and sometimes find it difficult to provide it with food, and that’s why they resort to proper supplementation. Regular exercisers looking for a high-quality vegan protein should pay attention to Hemp Protein, which may not contain as much protein per serving as whey, but has a better absorption rate.

Hemp Protein can also be used as a substitute for coffee, as it can give you an energy boost not for an hour or two, but for the whole day. Hemp Protein will work great as an addition to a pre-workout meal.
Due to its high amino acid content, Hemp Protein allows you to provide your body with a range of nutrients. And that’s crucial for people on a meatless diet without any animal products, which are also rich in essential amino acids necessary for the proper functioning of the human body6.

Hemp Protein will also certainly benefit those looking for a method of supplementing their diet with protein, which does not involve lactose. That sugar in most protein supplements is the reason why many people with lactose intolerance give up and look for another alternative. When using Hemp Protein, you can be sure you’re getting well-absorbed high-quality protein.

How to use Hemp Protein?

Hemp Protein is available in the form of powder that can be used in a variety of ways. It has a characteristic brownish-green colour and earthy, nutty, slightly grassy flavour that is not to everyone’s liking. That’s why Hemp Protein is less often consumed in the form of a milkshake or a water-based shake (although there are no contraindications to this), and more often used as an addition to muesli, smoothies, cocktails. It also works great as a topping for bread pizzas or snacks.
It is difficult to present a single way to use Hemp Protein, as it will vary depending on the purpose for which you consume it and the individual’s daily protein requirement. People with sedentary lifestyles have lower protein requirements than those who engage in regular physical activity and need protein for healthy muscle development.

Hemp Protein – daily dosage:

• little exercise, sedentary lifestyle – about 1 g of protein per kilogram of body weight a day
• regular exercise – about 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight a day
• training at least 2 times a week – 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight a day

It is also worth reaching for protein before workout and consume about 2 g of protein per kilogram of body weight. Hemp Protein consumed after a workout is also a great way to provide your body with post-workout nutrients for faster recovery.
These are, of course, the total amounts of protein that such individuals should consume. And Hemp Protein is only supposed to be an addition to your diet, so it should supplement the amount of this ingredient, and not be consumed in such large quantities. The standard recommendation is one to two servings of hemp protein per day, with 1 serving being about 3 tablespoons, or 30 grams.

Hemp Protein – recipes

Recipe for the best Hemp Protein shake to replace one meal (approx. 850 kcal)

• forest fruits (4 blackberries, 8 blueberries, 6 raspberries)
• 1 banana (can be frozen or cold!)
• 1 cup oatmeal,
• 1 tablespoon bio hemp protein,
• 400 ml almond milk (or any other plant-based milk you like),
• 3 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt,
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed (you can substitute it with chia seeds),
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil.

Blend everything in a blender and you’re done! A meal in the form of a shake.

Omelette with Hemp Protein

• 1 egg
• 100 g cottage cheese
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon hemp protein
• half a banana
• 1 teaspoon agave syrup
• a pinch of baking powder

Remember to drain the cottage cheese and add to it the “wet” ingredients: banana and egg, and mix. Add the rest of the ingredients and fry as usual in the pan, on both sides.
You can add leftover cheese or banana to the omelette for garnish!