For most people, milk has been part of a standard daily diet their entire life. You may drink several glasses of milk a day. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to cow’s milk, consider hemp milk. It offers a variety of health benefits and it’s easy to make.
Health Benefits Hemp Milk g>
Before we jump into the nutritional value of a glass of hemp milk there are some other health benefits to consider.
Hemp milk doesn’t contain many of the allergens milk from animals contains. Many people are lactose intolerant or allergic to either whey protein or casein. The allergies can cause anything from gastric distress to migraines and anaphylactic shock. All of these ingredients are found in cow’s milk, sheep’s milk and goat milk. Hemp milk is free from these common allergens.
Additionally, hemp milk contains wonderful omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are excellent for improving immune function, organ function, better skin, nails, and better brain function as well.
Nutrition
Your standard 8-Ounce glass of hemp milk contains the following nutrients:
• 900mg Omega-3 Fatty Acid
• 2800mg Omega-6 Fatty Acid
• All 10 Essential Amino Acids
• 4 grams of Protein
• 46% of RDA of Calcium
• 0% Cholesterol
• Potassium
• Phosphorous
• Riboflavin
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B12
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin D
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc
As you can see hemp milk is full of nutrients. It tastes much like almond, rice or soy milk. It is a bit watery so it may not work well as a straight replacement in baking however on cereal and as a glass to drink, it is quite delicious.
How to Make Your Own Hemp Milk
Making hemp milk is easy to do. However, finding hemp seeds may be a bit trickier. You can order them online and some natural health food stores may carry both hemp milk and hemp seeds.
In a blender combine one cup of shelled hemp seeds with five to six cups of water. Blend for two to three minutes until smooth. For richer milk, use less water. For thinner milk you can add more water. You can sweeten the milk, great for coffee, add honey or agave and vanilla extract. You can drink it as is or you can strain it through a cheese cloth or fine strainer to remove seed particles.
If you have cow’s milk sensitivities or are simply looking for a vegetarian alternative hemp milk is extremely healthy. More supermarkets are beginning to carry it and you can make it yourself at home too. Give it a try, you might be surprised how tasty it is.