May Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death around the globe. Interestingly, consuming hemp seeds may lower your risk of developing heart disease. The seeds are abundant in the amino acid arginine, which your body uses to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that causes your blood vessels to widen and relax, lowering your blood pressure and decreasing your risk of heart disease. Increased arginine intake was associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, in a large trial of over 13,000 persons. High CRP levels have been associated with heart disease.

Hemp seeds include gamma-linolenic acid, which has been linked to reduced inflammation and may lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease. Furthermore, animal studies have shown that hemp seeds or hemp seed oil may lower blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation, and aid in the recovery of the heart after a heart attack.