Hemp seeds are ridiculously nutritious. The birdseed industry was well aware of this fact and actually fought for their right to continue using hemp seeds during the Marihuana Tax Act hearing in 1937. Most people don’t realize that much of the birdseed sold in the US consists of hemp seeds. Birdseed manufacturers explained that birds need the protein rich seed to stay healthy. They even argued that “birds would not sing without cannabis hemp seeds in their food” and this was enough to exclude the birdseed industry from the law. All other hemp industries were shut down but I bet the birdseed folks were relieved.

I’m not sure why that fact always enters my mind when I hear people talk about hemp seeds in general. I guess it just conjures up an image of a “little bird lobbyist.” (Okay, maybe I watch too many cartoons.)

Yesterday’s Yahoo post however, “Hemp Seeds: Why and How You Should Be Eating This Superfood” is a good way to get people thinking about incorporating hemp seeds into their diet. With the anti-aging industry making a killing nowadays, people should be aware of the what this nutrient rich seed can do. Here is an excerpt from this post:

This list is a long one! There are so many health benefits to hemp seeds that it would be foolish not to run out to the store this instant to buy them!

A 1.5-tablespoon serving of hemp seeds contains five grams of protein, 86 milligrams of magnesium, 10 percent daily value of iron, 1245 milligrams of Omega-3 fatty acids and 436 milligrams of Omega-6 fatty acids!

One of the Omega-6 acids, gamma linolenic acid (or GLA), is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory hormones that support a healthy metabolism and good skin, hair and nails.

Like flaxseeds, hemp seeds contain all ten of the essential amino acids. It’s protein source is much more digestible than others, and won’t leave you feeling bloated.

Hemp seeds contain anti-aging antioxidants such as vitamin E. They’re also rich in other minerals such as zinc and phosphorus.

Pretty impressive, huh? Makes this Hempress want to sing like a bird, that’s for sure. And I don’t mean “sing like a bird to the cops” but rather, sing happily about adding another tool to my anti-aging arsenal (which keeps growing, by the way!) Just in case you were wondering.

If you haven’t already, be sure to read the rest of the article which includes hemp seed recipes: Yahoo’s Hemp Seed Article.