There’s no doubt that milk is good source of calcium and other vitamins and minerals. But there are a number of reasons that people may not want to drink it. They may be lactose intolerant, have a milk allergy, prefer not to consume animal products or have concerns about production practices.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to dairy milk. One of the newest alternatives is hemp milk. This non-dairy product is created by pulverizing hemp seeds, mixing them with water and straining out the solids. This produces a milk-like substance with a rich, nutty flavor. Although hemp milk is made with seeds from the cannabis plant, it contains no THC and therefore has no psychoactive effects.
For those interested in healthy food, hemp milk offers a number of benefits.
• It is lactose-free, making it safe for those who are lactose intolerant to drink.
• It contains no animal products, which means that vegans can drink it.
• It is highly nutritious. It contains high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as all 10 essential amino acids. It is higher in calcium than dairy milk, and it also contains Vitamins A, D, E and B12, folic acid, potassium, fiber, phosphorous, riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, magnesium, iron and zinc.
• It contains lots of protein, and this protein is in many ways superior to soy protein. It is free of phytates, which are enzyme inhibitors found in some soy milk that prevent proper absorption of essential minerals. It may also be easier to digest than soy protein since it contains no hard to digest oligosaccharides.
• Organic hemp milk contains no sugar or cholesterol.
• Hemp milk is highly unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. While many individuals are allergic to the soy and tree nuts used to produce other dairy milk alternatives, hemp contains no known allergens.
• You can use it just like you would use regular milk. You can drink it on its own, add it to your coffee, eat it in cereal or use it in any recipe that calls for dairy milk in the same amount.
• You can easily make your own hemp milk if you have access to hemp seeds. The process is similar to that of making nut milk. You can add a little maple syrup to add sweetness if you like, or add flavoring such as cocoa or vanilla. Homemade hemp milk will stay fresh up to three days if refrigerated in a sealed glass container.
Hemp milk is just one of the many healthy food products that can be created with hemp. Although its taste is not identical to that of dairy milk, it is very similar, and some proponents say it is better. If you’re looking for an alternative to milk that offers lots of nutritional benefits, give hemp milk a try.