More and more people are ditching dairy milks in favour of plant-based alternatives these days for a number of different reasons. Some believe they simply taste better – especially in tea or coffee – while others avoid dairy because of the impact it can have on health and the environment.
And there definitely isn’t any shortage of plant milks to choose from. Oat, almond and soya are all hugely popular and widely available in supermarkets and coffee shops, all with their own unique taste and potential health benefits.
However, if your main reason for cutting down on dairy is to feel better in yourself, there’s one alternative that maybe isn’t on your radar, but it definitely should be.
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The experts at Healthline have hailed hemp milk as one of the ‘healthiest’ milks you can drink. You can buy it online or from health stores, but it’s also incredibly easy to make your own – all you need is two very simple ingredients.
What is hemp milk?
Hemp milk is a drink made from hemp seeds that have been ground up and soaked in water. Hemp seeds, although they come from the same plant as cannabis sativa, don’t produce a mind-altering effect like marijuana would, according to Medical News Today.
They’re often considered a superfood due to their high nutritional value, making hemp milk an excellent option if you’re looking for a fibre and protein-rich milk alternative in your coffee.
Health benefits of hemp milk
The seeds used in hemp milk are an excellent source of healthful nutrients. It actually has more healthy fats and proteins than most other plant based milks, including rice and almond.
Compared to whole cow’s milk, hemp milk has fewer calories, less protein and carbs but roughly the same amount of fat. It also contains all of the amino acids that your body needs, and is easy to digest.
According to a 2018 study, hemp milk may help lower cholesterol levels and thyroid hormones too. It’s virtually carb-free, and can promote skin health too. This is because it contains the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which can can support your skin’s response to inflammation and aging.
And because it’s rich in the amino acid arginine, drinking hemp milk can help your body produce nitric oxide – which helps relax blood vessels and keep your blood pressure in check.
(Image: Getty)
How to make hemp milk
Hemp milk isn’t the easiest to find in the UK, but luckily it’s so easy to make your own. This way, there’s no risk of it being fortified with sugar or additives, which is great if you’re trying to cut down on ultra-processed food.
To make your own hemp milk, all you need is half a cup of shelled hemp seeds – which you can buy from Tesco – three or four cups of water depending on your desired thickness, and a pinch of sea salt.
Then just add everything to a blender and whizz until smooth. You can add a couple of dates or some vanilla extract if you want it to taste sweeter.