If you’re looking for the perfect post-workout snack or pre-workday breakfast, look no further! Hemp protein bars are a delicious, convenient, and nutrient-rich snack that is sure to check all of your boxes.
Read on to learn more about hemp protein bars and their many benefits!
Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC content per its dry weight.
Humans have grown hemp since before 10,000 BC. This sturdy plant was cultivated for a plethora of uses in ancient Egypt, Morocco, and more.
The fibrous stalks have been used to form textiles and plastics, while the cannabinoids in the flowers and leaves can serve medicinal purposes. Meanwhile, the hemp heart, which is the softer inner part of the hemp seed, is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats, earning it the coveted superfood title.
It is these nutritious seeds that are used to create hemp protein bars.
Hemp bars will not get you high. The hemp plant already contains too low THC levels–the cannabinoid that can cause a high–to produce any psychoactive effects. And in any case, the phytocannabinoids found in the hemp plant don’t come into fruition until the hemp plant has started to grow and mature.
Hemp hearts – and by extension, the protein bars that use hemp hearts–do not contain cannabinoids. Instead, these seeds are filled with aromatic terpenes, fiber, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that will boost your wellness.
Hemp protein bars can benefit your wellness in a number of ways.
Hemp seeds are a rare form of plant-protein that contains all twenty amino acids humans need to support vital functions.
Amino acids are the compounds that make up protein. Once consumed, protein breaks down into amino acids that the body can use to build muscle, support the immune system, and support the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters necessary for brain function.
There are nine amino acids that are considered essential, as our body’s cannot produce them on their own. We can only access these nine amino acids through the food we eat.
While all meat products contain these nine essential amino acids, only some forms of plant-based protein do. So, if you eat little to no meat, it is necessary to ensure you are consuming protein that contains these amino acids.
Hemp protein bars will ensure you are getting all of the amino acids you need, and their great taste will make them enjoyable for vegans and meat-eaters alike!
Most plant-based proteins are more difficult to digest than animal proteins–but not hemp!
Many protein bars rely on dairy or soy-based protein sources, both of which can be difficult for many to digest. Meanwhile, research suggests that 91-98% of the hemp seed powder is digestible, making it an excellent choice for lactose intolerant or having a generally sensitive stomach.
Hemp seeds contain the proteins edestin and albumin, which can break down quickly in the body, making them easy to digest.
Hemp protein’s high soluble and insoluble fiber content can also benefit your digestive health. While other forms of plant protein typically have low levels of fiber, our hemp protein bars have five grams of fiber, which is 25% of the recommended daily intake for a 2,000 calorie diet.
Getting enough fiber each day helps support colon health, keeps the digestive tract moving smoothly, and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Hemp seeds contain the ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which is quite different from the 15:1 ratio of these fatty acids typical to a Western diet.
While the 15:1 ratio has been associated with adverse health effects, the 3:1 ratio may help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce plaque buildup in the arteries.
The high levels of the amino acid arginine found in the hemp seed can also support heart health, as it produces nitric oxide in the body that can help support movement in the blood vessels, potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart health complications.
The lignanamide found in hemp seeds are also a great source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are stabilizing molecules that can help reduce oxidative stress, protecting the heart from any issues that could arise when over-exposed to oxidative stress.
As a macronutrient, protein is a vital energy source within the body that helps build and maintain muscle mass, as well as aid in muscle repair post-workout.
If you’ve ever felt sore the day or so after a tough workout, you’ve experienced muscle recovery in action.
While exercise exposes your muscles to stress that can cause small tears in muscle fibers, your body naturally engages in muscle repair that heals the damages and helps your muscles grow stronger after the fact.
Protein can help refuel your energy shortly after a workout, reintroduce protein into muscles that may have broken their protein down during exercise, and support the muscle recovery process overall.
So don’t forget your hemp protein bar on your way to the gym, and maybe plan on having a second (or third) one in the following days!
Along with the antioxidant-rich lignanamide, hemp protein also contains iron, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. These vitamins and minerals can help bolster the immune system in fighting off infection.
Potassium is particularly important for helping balance out water and electrolyte levels. With over 350 milligrams of potassium per ounce–double what you’d find in an orange – hemp bars are the perfect post-workout snack to replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration.
The three-to-one ratio of healthy fatty acids is also believed to support a healthy immune system.
While hemp hearts contain all nine essential amino acids, it has exceptionally high amounts of tyrosine–which is great news for your brain.
Tyrosine plays an essential role in creating neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. And since dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for creating feelings of pleasure, hemp bars can help boost your mood and keep you feeling good throughout.
Eating enough protein helps you refuel, boosting your energy and keeping you alert. A protein-heavy snack can keep you feeling energized for longer, as the body takes longer to break down protein than other macronutrients such as carbohydrates.
If you struggle to get the right amount of nutrients each day, hemp protein bars make it easy!
With flavors like cookie dough, mocha chip, and brownie chip, our hemp bars will satisfy your cravings while also fueling you with beneficial antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats.
How Can Hemp Benefit The Environment?
Consuming hemp isn’t only a win for your wellness, but also for the planet as well.
Hemp is one of the most sustainable crops on the planet, as it requires very little water to grow, compared to other popular crops.
Hemp also doesn’t take up much space to grow, and because it reaches maturity in a few months, it is easy to reintroduce new hemp plants into the environment after harvesting.
Along with needing little water, hemp plants can reduce waste, as every part of the plant can be used. The stalks can be used for textiles, the flowers for CBD cultivation, and the seeds for food.
Hemp is also biodegradable, meaning that it won’t take up space in landfills or release toxic chemicals once discarded.
As hemp grows, its deep roots can actually remove toxins from the soil it is grown in, while reintroducing up to 60% of the nutrients it uses back into the land.
This can help reduce pollution and ensure that the soil stays healthy for future plants to grow and thrive in.
Unlike most crops, hemp does not require pesticides or fertilizer to grow. This greatly reduced the number of chemicals introduced to the environment.
Other forms of plant protein such as soybean or pea protein are heavily refined, meaning they must be processed before being consumed. This process introduces several chemicals into the final product. Meanwhile, growing the hemp plant and converting it into protein powder takes little to no processing.
At evo hemp, our hemp protein bars are made with a clean source of protein from our ethically sourced hemp.
Since no chemical processing is needed, the process of turning hemp into hemp protein is simply and sustainable.
First, hemp farmers harvest and clean the seeds. The seeds are stored and then washed again before the hulls — also known as the shells — are removed.
The hulls are cracked open, and the hemp hearts are removed from, as the hemp hulls can be difficult to eat (although they are edible!) The hemp seeds are then cold-pressed to separate the oil from the solid seed parts, which are then grounded into a powder.
And there you have it!
To create our evo hemp protein bars, we combine the hemp protein with other high-quality and nutritious ingredients. The end result is a great tasting, wonderfully textured, nutrient-packed, and mood-boosting snack!
Enjoy hemp protein bars anytime you’re feeling like one!
You can grab a bar for a filling and energy-boosting breakfast on the go, pump up with one pre-workout, replenish lost proteins after a workout, a snack on whenever you feel yourself crashing and need a quick fix brain-boosting nutrients.
Even crumble one on ice cream for a nutrient-rich dessert after a long day. There are no limitations!
You can absolutely make your own hemp protein bars! No-bake hemp bars are a fun and easy way to bring the benefits of hemp into your kitchen. Use our evo hemp Protein, or experiment with our evo hemp Hearts.
You can ground hemp hearts in a food processor to make hemp bars, or you can simply snack on them on their own!
To make hemp bars, you can balance out hemp’s naturally earthy flavor with dates and cinnamon, and combine with a favorite nut and nut butter in a food processor. We just don’t recommend baking hemp, as heat higher than 350 degrees Farenheit will strip hemp of its nutritious value.
And of course, if making your own hemp bars isn’t quite your style, our flavorful protein bars are ready for whenever you need them.
Protein powders are considered extremely safe, although you should typically remain within your recommended daily protein intake, which can vary based on age, body weight, and fitness level.
On rare occasions, large amounts of hemp protein can react with certain medicines, such as blood thinners or blood pressure medications. If you are taking any medication, check in with your doctor before incorporating hemp protein into your daily routine.
Most adults should consume at least 0.36 grams of protein for every pound of body weight per day. Adults who exercise regularly should aim for between 0.64 to 0.90 grams per pound each day. evo hemp’s protein bars contain twelve grams of protein per bar.
Bottom Line
Hemp protein provides a clean, nutrient-rich, and wellness-boosting source of protein that you can easily enjoy in the form of a protein bar.
At evo hemp, we only use high-quality hemp sourced ethically and sustainably from small family farmers or Native American farmers.
So whether you’re stocking up on our delicious hemp protein bars or using our hemp protein powder to make your own, you’ll be supporting the environment, supporting small farmers, and supporting your own health!
Satisfy all of your hemp-related cravings at the evo hemp Shop!
Sources
Essential amino acids: master regulators of nutrition and environmental footprint? | Science Reports
Dietary nitrates, nitrites, and cardiovascular disease | Current Atherosclerosis Reports
Got Beef? Here's What Your Hamburger Is Doing To The Climate | Forbes
Environmental benefits of hemp | McGill University
