Hemp Blend Balance is a nootropic coffee with a unique taste and nutritional profile. Let’s explore what makes it great and what benefits it provides.

A Look at Hemp Blend Balance

Hemp Blend Balance combines medium-roast Arabica coffee and organic hemp protein powder. The combination of coffee and hemp provides numerous health benefits, which we’ll look at below.

For instance, hemp is a plant rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (1). A balance between the two is crucial for cardiovascular and brain health.

However, there is far more to this nootropic coffee, so let’s explore below.

The Benefits of Hemp Blend Balance

Improved Cognition

With its unique nutritional profile, Hemp Blend Balance can support cognitive function. First, we have caffeine, which blocks the receptors of adenosine––a neurotransmitter known to slow down specific processes in the brain (2).

As a result, the firing rates of neurons in the brain improve (or at least don’t slow down as quickly), resulting in improved cognitive function and problem-solving abilities.

Second, Arabica coffee has an impressive antioxidant profile, which could protect brain cells from oxidative stress, reducing the risk of cognitive impairment (3, 4).

Finally, hemp is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve cognitive abilities in some instances. In one systematic review of 9 studies with 1319 participants, the researchers concluded, “Our results demonstrate that with EPA supplementation, individuals' brains display higher cognitive performance.” (5)

EPA is one of the three types of omega-3 fatty acids.

Better Mood

Caffeine has a stimulative effect thanks to its ability to block adenosine receptors. It is known to make us feel better, have more energy, and be more motivated to do things.

Potential Appetite Suppression

Two advantages for people who want to lose weight or maintain their current weight are both courtesy of caffeine (6). The compound has appetite-suppressing qualities, making it easier to eat less and stick to a calorie-restricted diet.

Additionally, caffeine provides a modest metabolic boost, allowing the human body to burn slightly more energy at rest (7).

Potent Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

According to research, oxidative stress can speed up the aging process and increase the risk of various diseases, including cancer (8). Arabica coffee displays an impressive antioxidant capacity, more so than Robusta coffee, offering some protection.

Further, a study from 2017 suggests that coffee can have strong anti-inflammatory effects (9). This is also important because low-grade chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, organs, and tissues, increasing the risk of disease.

Hemp seeds are also a good source of vitamin E––an antioxidant capable of limiting the production of reactive oxygen species during fat oxidation and other processes (10).

Healthy Balance Between Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Hemp is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A balance between the two is essential for overall health, given that a high ratio of 10 to 1 or higher, typically seen in today’s Western diets, is linked to cardiovascular disease and other health issues (11).

“Excessive amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a very high omega-6/omega-3 ratio, as is found in today's Western diets, promote the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, whereas increased levels of omega-3 PUFA (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio) exert suppressive effects.”

It’s noteworthy that hemp alone is insufficient to push the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio in the right direction. Eating fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, herring, etc.), oysters, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans is also beneficial. Additionally, folks who don’t eat much seafood should consider an omega-3 fish oil supplement (12).

References

1. Rodriguez-Leyva D, Pierce GN. The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010 Apr 21;7:32. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-7-32. PMID: 20409317; PMCID: PMC2868018.

2. Ribeiro JA, Sebastião AM. Caffeine and adenosine. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20 Suppl 1:S3-15. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2010-1379. PMID: 20164566.

3. Jeong JH, Jeong HR, Jo YN, Kim HJ, Lee U, Heo HJ. Antioxidant and neuronal cell protective effects of columbia arabica coffee with different roasting conditions. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2013 Mar;18(1):30-7. doi: 10.3746/pnf.2013.18.1.030. PMID: 24471107; PMCID: PMC3867146.

4. Baroni L, Sarni AR, Zuliani C. Plant Foods Rich in Antioxidants and Human Cognition: A Systematic Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Apr 30;10(5):714. doi: 10.3390/antiox10050714. PMID: 33946461; PMCID: PMC8147117.

5. Dighriri IM, Alsubaie AM, Hakami FM, Hamithi DM, Alshekh MM, Khobrani FA, Dalak FE, Hakami AA, Alsueaadi EH, Alsaawi LS, Alshammari SF, Alqahtani AS, Alawi IA, Aljuaid AA, Tawhari MQ. Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Functions: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 9;14(10):e30091. doi: 10.7759/cureus.30091. PMID: 36381743; PMCID: PMC9641984.

6. Tabrizi R, Saneei P, Lankarani KB, Akbari M, Kolahdooz F, Esmaillzadeh A, Nadi-Ravandi S, Mazoochi M, Asemi Z. The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2688-2696. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1507996. Epub 2018 Oct 18. PMID: 30335479.

7. Acheson KJ, Zahorska-Markiewicz B, Pittet P, Anantharaman K, Jéquier E. Caffeine and coffee: their influence on metabolic rate and substrate utilization in normal weight and obese individuals. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/33.5.989. PMID: 7369170.

8. Yashin A, Yashin Y, Wang JY, Nemzer B. Antioxidant and Antiradical Activity of Coffee. Antioxidants (Basel). 2013 Oct 15;2(4):230-45. doi: 10.3390/antiox2040230. PMID: 26784461; PMCID: PMC4665516.

9. Jung S, Kim MH, Park JH, Jeong Y, Ko KS. Cellular Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Coffee Extracts with Different Roasting Levels. J Med Food. 2017 Jun;20(6):626-635. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2017.3935. Epub 2017 Jun 5. PMID: 28581877.

10. Rizvi S, Raza ST, Ahmed F, Ahmad A, Abbas S, Mahdi F. The role of vitamin e in human health and some diseases. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014 May;14(2):e157-65. Epub 2014 Apr 7. PMID: 24790736; PMCID: PMC3997530.

11. Simopoulos AP. The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):365-79. doi: 10.1016/s0753-3322(02)00253-6. PMID: 12442909.

12. de Magalhães JP, Müller M, Rainger GE, Steegenga W. Fish oil supplements, longevity and aging. Aging (Albany NY). 2016 Aug;8(8):1578-82. doi: 10.18632/aging.101021. PMID: 27564420; PMCID: PMC5032683.