When you enter into the happy phase of a would-be mother, you start thinking about many things that should be beneficial to you and your baby’s healthy development. Among all the other aspects, food is the most important factor to consider. Your baby gets all the nutrients from your body, and therefore, you need to fulfill the requirement of all essential macro and micronutrients that your baby needs (1). Though you need almost the same amount or a little bit higher energy than normal, the demand for vital compounds like omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron, iodine, calcium, folic acid (B vitamin), and vitamin D increases during pregnancy.
Whether you can consume hemp seed during pregnancy or not was a debatable issue earlier. However, after a lot of research, the FDA has now approved that the consumption of hemp seeds during pregnancy is safe. But why do you need to have this seed while you are pregnant? Is it safe at all? What are the benefits? Is it even good for fertility? Stay with us till the end, we will discuss all the issues in detail.
In This Article
- Is it Safe to Eat Hemp Seeds During Pregnancy?
- Nutritional Facts of Hemp Seeds
- Top 6 Nutritional Benefits of Hemp Seeds During Pregnancy
- Can Pregnant Women Take Hemp Protein Powder?
- Can Pregnant Women Drink Hemp Milk?
- FAQ’s
Is it Safe to Eat Hemp Seeds During Pregnancy?
The first and basic question that comes to your mind is how safe is consuming hemp seeds during pregnancy? As per reports of the FDA, there is no objection regarding the use of hemp seeds while you are pregnant.
Hemp is found in the different parts of the Cannabis Sativa plant. This plant is extensively grown in central Asia and has been used for ages to make traditional medicine. People get confused about the intoxicating effect of this plant. But the actual reason for the intoxication is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These are found in the flower, leaves, and stem parts of the plant. The FDA report says that hemp seed, famously known as hemp heart, is almost free of these TWO compounds. The minute presence of THC and CBD can be due to the physical proximity of the hearts to the other parts of the plant such as flowers. Therefore, hemp seed has no “HIGH” effect and is completely safe for the would-be mom and the fetus (2).
Nutritional Facts of Hemp Seeds
Here are the nutritional facts of hemp seeds per 100 grams (3).
| Nutrients | Value |
| Protein | 31.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 50 g |
| Carbohydrate | 10 g |
| Total Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g |
| Iron (Fe) | 7.95 mg |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 700 mg |
| Phosphorous (P) | 1650 mg |
| Potassium (K) | 1200 mg |
| Zinc (Zn) | 10 mg |
| Manganese (Mn) | 8 mg |
| Thiamin | 1 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.333 mg |
| Vitamin – B6 | 0.667 mg |
| Total Saturated Fatty Acids | 5 g |
| Total Monounsaturated Fatty Acids | 6.67 g |
| Total Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids | 33.33 g |
Top 6 Nutritional Benefits of Hemp Seeds During Pregnancy
Due to the lack of research and knowledge, hemp seeds are still ill-famous. But, recent studies have proved that hemp heart has numerous benefits, even for pregnant women. These seeds are small in size and brown in color. They have a very high nutritional profile and are packed with essential elements that help in the healthy development of the fetus.
1. Good Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids, specifically DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are essential for the brain and eye development of the fetus (4). Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat. Hemp seeds are a very good source of essential plant-based omega-3 fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (5). Our body cannot produce this essential amino acid and must be absorbed from the diet. Moreover, unlike other sources of omega-3 fatty acids (like fish products), hemp seeds are free of mercury.
2. Rich Source of Plant Protein
Protein is essential during the third trimester for fetal growth and protein synthesis (6). Hemp seeds are an amazing source of plant protein and can provide all NINE essential amino acids to your body (7). Our body cannot generate these amino acids and food is the only source of them. There are very few plant sources of protein. Hemp seeds, one of the few sources, have a protein content similar to soybeans. Hemp seeds are rich in arginine, an important amino acid crucial for the heart health of the mother and the baby.
3. Compensate Iron Requirement
Iron supplements are extremely important during your pregnancy (8). That is because blood is transferred to the developing fetus from the mother’s body. Therefore, an iron-rich diet is a must for expectant mothers. You can get a good amount of iron from foods like meat, chicken, seafood, dried beans and lentils, and green leafy vegetables. Hemp seeds can provide one-third of your daily iron requirement.
[Read : FlaxSeed During Pregnancy Safe Or Not Safe?]
4. Minerals and Vitamins
Hemp seeds are an amazing source of essential micronutrients like magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, and vitamin E, vitamin B, B-6. These help to create the base health of the unborn baby.
5. Good Source of Fiber
The outer hull or shell of hemp seeds has a good amount of fiber in it. Therefore, it is always recommended to buy hemp seeds with intact shells. Fibre provides great benefits to your health like weight management, keeping you full, controlling blood sugar, and managing constipation (9).
6. Benefits With Morning Sickness and Nausea
The compounds found in hemp seeds are helpful if you have morning sickness, a common condition during pregnancy. Moreover, as these seeds have a high fiber content, they help to keep away nausea.
[Read : Morning Sickness During Pregnancy]
Can Pregnant Women Take Hemp Protein Powder?
As hemp seeds are considered safe for pregnant women, hemp protein powders can be safe and beneficial too. One of the main benefits of hemp protein powder is that it contains essential amino acids. These amino acids are essential for pregnant women and cannot be found through food sources. But it is always better to consult your doctor before opting for any plant-based or other protein sources during pregnancy. They may suggest you the right way based on your individual needs.
Can Pregnant Women Drink Hemp Milk?
Many pregnant women have an allergy to cow milk or any other animal milk. In such cases, other plant-based milks are an excellent alternative. Hemp milk is the latest addition to this list. It is prepared by blending the hemp heart and water and has an earthy, nutty flavor. This milk doesn’t contain psychoactive compounds like CBD or THC and is completely safe for would-be mothers. Along with the presence of NINE essential amino acids (which make hemp seed a complete protein), this superfood has a high calcium content.
As you can see, hemp seeds are beneficial for both the mother and the baby. It is a complete protein source with a good amount of essential elements in it. But, as with any food during pregnancy, you must exercise caution when it comes to ideal consumption. Talk to your doctor before having hemp seeds, hemp protein powders, or hemp milk during pregnancy.
[Read : How Safe Is Soy Milk During Pregnancy?]
FAQ’s
1. Does Hemp Seeds Cause a “High” Effect?
No, hemp seeds do not cause a high effect. From different studies and reports, it is clear that hemp seeds do not create any psychoactive effect. The psychoactive compounds (CBD or THC) that cause the recreational high are not present in the seeds of Cannabis Sativa (2).
2. Is Hemp Milk Safe For Pregnant Women?
Yes, it is safe. Hemp milk is made by blending water and hemp seeds or hemp hearts. As the seeds do not have any psychoactive compounds that can cause a high, drinking hemp milk is safe for pregnant women.
3. How Many Hemp Seeds Should I Eat During Pregnancy?
You should not eat too many hemp seeds as they can cause adverse effects on your body. Always have them in moderate amounts as per the recommendation of your doctor or dietitian.
References
- Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake during Pregnancy: An Overview of Recent Evidence – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6413112/]
- FDA Responds to Three GRAS Notices for Hemp Seed-Derived Ingredients for Use in Human Food – [https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-responds-three-gras-notices-hemp-seed-derived-ingredients-use-human-food]
- Seeds, hemp seed, hulled – [ https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/170148/nutrients ]
- Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2621042/]
- The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868018/]
- Protein and Amino Acid Requirements during Pregnancy – [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322007712]
- Nutritional Quality, Chemical, and Functional Characteristics of Hemp (Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa) Protein Isolate – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9656340/]
- Importance of Iron During Pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235217/]
- High-Fiber Diet during Pregnancy Characterized by More Fruit and Vegetable Consumption – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7824257/]
Read Also: Basil Seeds During Pregnancy: Safe or Risky?
