Hemp Milk Nutrition and Benefits

For some, drinking hemp milk may be purely an ethical choice instead of drinking cow’s milk. For others, it’s about the nutritional benefits that hemp milk can provide or a way to avoid the intolerance that many have against dairy products. No matter what your reason is for considering hemp milk, it’s a benefit that your body will thank you for. However, if you haven’t fully been convinced it may be time to look further into hemp milk nutrition and benefits.

If you are looking for an alternative to cows milk and you aren’t quite digging the other available options out there like soy milk, almond milk or rice milk, hemp milk might just be the solution for you. Unlike other dairy products that can cause digestive issues, hemp milk is easy to digest and contains some awesome nutrition making it a perfect food for our diets.

In addition to being easily digestible, if you suffer from lactose intolerance or allergies to soy, hemp milk can be a fantastic alternative.

Will I Get High from Drinking Hemp Milk?

You’ve probably seen many products available that say they are made from hemp. The reason we can buy these products is because hemp is not marijuana. It does not contain the same levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that marijuana has (that’s what makes you high). In fact, industrial hemp contains less than 1% of THC.

While marijuana and hemp both come from the same type of plant, the Cannabis sativa L, they are each from different varieties. Marijuana comes from the high THC content buds and leaves of psychoactive varieties of the Cannabis plant, while hemp is the low THC fiber variety of Cannabis.

If you still need more convincing, one way you can be sure that your hemp products are safe is to only buy from companies who are part of the TestPledge program. This is a completely voluntary program that is designed to limit THC concentrations to levels where they cannot result in positive drug tests.

What is Hemp Milk Made From?

Hemp milk is a simple formula made from water and hemp seeds or hemp hearts that have been pulverized and then strained to extract the milky liquid. Because the main ingredient is hemp seeds, you gain the high protein content plus all the nutrients that hemp seeds hold like all 10 essential amino acids, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and more. Plus, let’s not forget the awesome Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids in a 3:1 ratio.

While you can buy hemp milk from several retailers, you can make your own hemp milk with this easy homemade hemp milk recipe. Start by mixing 1 cup of hemp hearts with 3 cups of purified water in a blender. You can even use more water for a more “skim milk” like consistency or less water for a creamier consistency. If you want a sweeter taste, you can also add in some organic natural sugar additions such as agave syrup or honey. Once you have thoroughly blended the seeds, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a woven nut milk bag to remove any solid pieces and store in the fridge for 2-3 days at most.

Hemp Milk Nutritional Values

Hemp milk contains calcium and Vitamin D, just like cow’s milk does. This is what gives us our strong bones and healthy teeth. According to the National Institutes of Health, adults need approximately 1,000 mg of calcium each day and depending on the flavor and brand of your hemp milk, it can provide up to 50% of the recommend daily allowance with just one serving.

Hemp milk is also an excellent source of vitamin B, thiamin, and riboflavin. It also serves as a great magnesium source that aids in the healthy function of your muscles and nerves as well as keeping your sugar levels and blood pressure under control.

For the full low down on hemp milk, according to the Global Healing Center, an 8 ounce glass of hemp milk contains the following nutrients:

• 900mg Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• 2800mg Omega-6 Fatty Acids
• All 10 Essential Amino Acids
• 4 Grams of Digestible Protein
• 46% of recommended daily value of calcium
• Absolutely NO cholesterol
• Potassium, Phosphorous and Riboflavin
• Vitamin A, E, B12 and D
• Folic Acid
• Magnesium
• Iron and Zinc
• And even more

Where Can I Buy Hemp Milk?

Hemp milk can be found in many chain stores like Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Wild Oats and Trader Joes plus many other natural food stores. You can even purchase your hemp milk online from places like Amazon (I usually find it cheaper on Amazon too!). Because it doesn’t have to be refrigerated until opened, it can be a real space saver especially if you buy your hemp milk online. You can find hemp milk available in a variety of flavors including plain or original, vanilla and chocolate. Just be careful with the flavored versions as they have extra sugar you may not want.

If you’ve never given hemp milk a try or weren’t aware of the nutritional values of hemp milk, what are you waiting for? Make your own or buy a small carton of it to try and see if it’s the right milk solution for you.