Let’s Talk About Poop (The Benefits of Hemp Protein)
Today, we’re going to have a conversation about two of life’s daily essentials: fiber—and poop.
Despite the popularity of books like “Everybody Poops,” and Charmin’s brilliant ad campaign, “Enjoy the Go,” what we call, ‘the poop conversation,’ makes some people uncomfortable. But hopefully, your bowel movements do not!
If they do—or you’re looking for optimal gut health—it’s time to familiarize yourself with today’s second topic, fiber. We’ve all heard the word, but not everyone understands what it means or its importance in our everyday lives.
So let's cut the crap and get down to the business of fiber, its effect on the digestive system, and simple ways to improve your gut health with superfoods like hemp.
What Is Fiber?
Fiber, or dietary fiber, is the name given to the non-digestible carbohydrates in plants. It can be found in all plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds, such as hemp seeds. Though most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules called glucose, our bodies cannot break down fiber the same way. Instead, it passes through the body undigested.
There are two varieties:
Soluble fiber – which dissolves in water, can help lower glucose levels and blood cholesterol. Foods with soluble fiber include oatmeal, chia seeds, nuts, beans, lentils, apples, and blueberries.
Insoluble fiber – which does not dissolve in water, can help food move through your digestive system, promoting regularity and helping prevent constipation. Foods with insoluble fibers include whole wheat products (especially wheat bran), quinoa, brown rice, legumes, leafy greens like kale, almonds, walnuts, seeds, and fruits with edible skins like pears and apples.
Our favorite superfood, hemp, is an excellent source of both.
Why Do We Need Fiber?
Now that we know what fiber is, it’s time to understand its role in whole health. According to the USDA, children and adults need at least 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily, but studies show that less than 5% of Americans meet these recommendations.
The many health benefits linked to high-fiber diets include keeping hunger and blood sugar in check, producing healthier gut bacteria, and reducing the risk of bowel cancer. Fiber is most well-known for its effects on the healthy digestive system and for avoiding issues like constipation.
Simply Put: It’s good for the go!
Because fiber passes through your intestines undigested, it aids the formation of stool and promotes regular bowel movements. One of the most common pieces of advice for people who are constipated is to eat more fiber.
Constipation is a common problem affecting up to 20% of people annually. While it is different for everyone, if you have less than three bowel movements a week and your stools are hard, dry, and difficult to pass, you’re likely constipated.
Dietary fiber increases the size of your stools and makes them softer. Larger, softer stools help keep you regular as they move more quickly through your bowels and are easier to pass.
The types of fiber - soluble and insoluble - help with this in slightly different ways.
Insoluble fiber bulks up your stool and acts like a brush, sweeping through your bowels to get everything out and keep things moving. Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance, helping your stool pass smoothly through your bowels and improving its form and consistency.
Hemp—The King of Fiber?
Getting your fill of fiber can seem challenging, especially if you’re not in the mood for vegetables. But making simple changes to your routine, like introducing hemp protein into your diet, can help bridge this gap.
Hemp protein powder is easy to digest (unlike soy), vegan (unlike whey protein powder), and a complete source of protein. The powder is made from pressed whole hemp seeds, which are an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Compared to highly refined plant-based protein powders, such as soy, pea, and rice, that contain very little fiber, hemp protein powders provide 18–28% of the recommended daily fiber intake for men and women, respectively.
Here’s how hemp measures up:
A single tablespoon of hemp seeds contains 2% of recommended daily values or 0.4 grams of dietary fiber— much more than most other plant-based protein powders.
Hemp protein powder is a good source of fiber, containing an average of 8 grams per serving. (Note: This amount varies depending on whether the powder is made from hulled or unhulled hemp seeds and whether additional fiber was added.
In general, animal proteins are more easily digested than plant proteins, but research shows that 91–98% of the protein in ground hemp seed is digestible because it contains the proteins edestin and albumin. This means your body can use almost all of the amino acids in hemp protein powder for important bodily functions, such as repair and maintenance.
Here’s how hemp compares to other fiber-rich foods:
Use this nifty resource to compare the nutritional content of your favorite foods, including hemp: https://www.soupersage.com/compare-nutrition.
If getting enough fiber has been challenging, give hemp a try.
Kannabu hemp products are an excellent source of fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients; plus, they are 100% U.S.A-grown, all-natural, vegan, and gluten-free. Enjoy 5% off all Kannabu products during April 2023*, including:
Kannabu Premium Hemp Protein (From Hemp Seeds)
Kannabu Premium Hemp Hearts (Hemp Seeds)
The Bottom Line?
Fiber improves the balance of good bacteria in your gut, keeping you regular and reducing your risk of various diseases. It is essential for digestive health and helps keep your poop soft and easy to pass.
Even if you’re not ready to have the poop conversation on your next date night, we hope learning a bit more about the process has made the topic easier to stomach.
Visit Kannabu.com or our Amazon shop to make your first order today. Learn more about hemp from our blog, “Worth The Hype? The Truth & Benefits of CBD and Hemp.”
About the author - Tessa Dines is an award-winning, NYC-based copywriter with BKN Creative. She transforms difficult-to-understand scientific, legal, and industry-specific information into digestible content for curious audiences of any age. Tessa has a green thumb, three cats, and nearly a decade of writing under her belt.
Disclaimer: Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend consulting with a medical professional. As with any addition to your health routine, speak with your healthcare provider before combining CBD products with your current medications to see if this treatment is proper for you.
