Three ingredients, five minutes, zero cooking, and a small brown bite that says a lot about what really is theliving food. These energy balls with hemp oil are not like other energy balls: they combine three foods chosen for their calming effect on the nervous system — the Tiger nut, the banana and theorganic virgin hemp oil. A trio I developed for days when stress takes over and a healthy, quick, and truly effective snack becomes invaluable. Here's everything you need to know, and most importantly, the recipe.
Why these energy balls are truly anti-stress
The winning trio: tryptophan, omega-3, and magnesium
Chronic stress depletes three key nutrients: the tryptophan (precursor of serotonin, the calming hormone), the omega-3 fatty acids (involved in mood modulation) and the Magnesium (major cofactor of the nervous system). These energy balls bring them together in the same bite:
- Banana → tryptophan + potassium + magnesium
- Hemp oil → omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) in an ideal ratio with omega-6
- Tiger nut → fibers, magnesium, potassium, and monounsaturated fatty acids
This synergy was designed according to the principles of theEveryday anti-stress diet.
What recent studies say
Several meta-analyses confirm the role of plant-based omega-3s in stress management. A meta-analysis published in 2024 on PubMed demonstrates that a sufficient intake of omega-3 is significantly associated with a reduction in moderate anxiety symptoms (based on randomized controlled trials). A 2023 systematic review confirms these effects of long-chain omega-3s on anxiety and depression in adults. TheEFSA further recommends a daily intake of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3) whosehemp oil is one of the best plant sources. As for the tryptophan provided by the banana, it is an essential precursor of serotonin, as established by the classical literature on amino acids (Fernstrom, 2012).
Important: This article is informative. As part of a varied and balanced diet. No food can replace medical supervision in cases of chronic stress or severe anxiety.
Hemp oil, a treasure of omega-3 and omega-6
An ideal omega-3/omega-6 ratio
Cold-pressed virgin hemp oil boasts one of the most balanced lipid profiles in the plant kingdom: approximately 20% alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3) and 55% linoleic acid (LA, omega-6), which is a ratio close to 1:3, considered optimal for cardiovascular and nervous health (source: Ciqual Table ANSES).
Virgin, organic, cold-pressed: the three non-negotiables
- Virgin : obtained solely by mechanical pressing, without solvents.
- Bio : hemp can accumulate pesticides from the soil; organic certification is a true guarantee of safety.
- Cold pressed (< 45 °C) : preserves omega-3s, which are sensitive to heat.
To go further, consult the complete guide on the Benefits and uses of hemp oil.
Conservation and daily dosage
Once opened, the bottle can be kept in the refrigerator, away from light, and should be consumed within 3 months. One tablespoon per day (10-15 ml) is enough to meet the daily recommended intake of ALA according to the EFSA.
⚠️ Hemp oil is never used for cooking. Always raw, on finished dishes or in uncooked preparations like these energy balls.
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The tiger nut, the forgotten gem
A "starchy" food that is sweet, gluten-free, rich in fiber, and potassium
Also called tiger nut (or Chufa in Spanish), the tiger nut is actually the tuber of an herbaceous plantCyperus esculentus) cultivated since ancient times. Its nutritional profile is remarkable:
- 4 to 7 g of fiber per 100 g (including a portion of resistant starch beneficial to the microbiome)
- About 400 mg of potassium per 100 g
- Lipids dominated by theoleic acid (omega-9), as in olive oil
- Gluten-free, lactose-free, naturally sweet
Tiger nut flour: the ideal substitute for cereal flours
Ground into a fine flour, tiger nut serves as the base for our energy balls. Its slightly sandy texture and mild taste reminiscent of almond and hazelnut pair perfectly with banana. It can also replace up to 30% of wheat flour in many other recipes. Discover how to make tiger nut milk and our Ideas for recipes with sliced tiger nuts.
"The best online store dedicated to raw and vegan food in France. I recently ordered nori sheets and tiger nuts. High-quality products at affordable prices." — Carole Sophie Walsser, ★★★★★ (Trustpilot)
The banana, an ally for good sleep and relaxation
Unsurprisingly, the ripe banana brings sweetness, natural binding, and slow-releasing sugars, but above all, it provides tryptophan, an essential amino acid precursor of serotonin — and then melatonin, the sleep hormone. It also provides about 358 mg of potassium and 27 mg of magnesium per 100 g, two key minerals of the link between stress and sleep.
Tip: choosing a banana well ripe (with some brown spots), more digestible and naturally sweeter.
Recipe: Anti-stress Energy Balls with Hemp Oil
Ingredients (for 8 scoops)
- 80 g of ground tiger nuts (organic tiger nut flour)
- 1 ripe banana (about 100 g peeled)
- 2 tablespoons of organic virgin hemp oil (20-25 ml)
Preparation (5 minutes, no cooking)
- In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork until you get a smooth puree.
- Add the ground tiger nut and mix with a spoon.
- Drizzle the hemp oil and mix until a smooth dough is obtained.
- Form 8 balls with a spoon or directly by hand.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before tasting so that the balls firm up.
Conservation
Energy balls can be stored 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Avoid freezing, as it alters the texture of the banana.
Estimated nutritional value (per ball)
- Energy: ~75 kcal
- Lipids: ~4 g (including 0.8 g of omega-3 ALA)
- Carbohydrates: ~8 g
- Fibers: ~1.5 g
- Magnesium: ~10 mg
Variants & boosts
- "Deep sleep" version → add 1 teaspoon of powder raw cacao (rich in magnesium)
- "Sports recovery version" → incorporate 1 tablespoon of hulled hemp seeds
- "Greedy child" version → 1 teaspoon of whole almond paste
- Version "party" → roll the balls in raw cocoa powder or shredded coconut
- Raw pastry inspiration → to be adapted according to the recipes of Biovie raw pastry
Precautions and proper use
- No trace of THC: Hemp seed oil is produced from varieties of Cannabis sativa L. authorized (THC < 0.3%). It has no psychoactive effect.
- Never heat hemp oil: Omega-3s oxidize at 45°C. Always raw.
- Reasonable quantity: 2 to 3 scoops per day make a nice snack. Beyond that, the caloric and fat intake becomes significant.
- Anticoagulant treatments: Hemp oil may have a slight thinning effect. If undergoing treatment, consult a doctor.
- Children: Possible from 12 months, in small quantities.
- Allergies: Rare with hemp seeds, but possible. Test a small amount first.
FAQ: Your Questions About Hemp Energy Balls
How to make homemade anti-stress energy balls ?
Mash a ripe banana with a fork, add 80 g of ground tiger nuts and 2 tablespoons of organic virgin hemp oil. Mix, form 8 balls, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. No cooking, just 5 minutes, and a trio of ingredients chosen for their calming effect on the nervous system.
What is the effect of hemp oil on stress ?
Hemp oil is rich in omega-3 (ALA), which several meta-analyses associate with a sufficient intake to a reduction in moderate anxiety symptoms (PubMed, 2024). It also provides omega-6 in a balanced ratio (~1:3), beneficial for the health of the nervous system. These effects are related to its fatty acid composition, not to the presence of CBD or THC — dietary hemp oil is free of these.
Can hemp oil be heated ?
No. Hemp oil should always be used raw. From 45°C, omega-3 fatty acids begin to oxidize and lose their nutritional benefits. That's why it is used exclusively on final dishes, drizzled over salads, or in uncooked preparations like these energy balls.
What is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil ?
Hemp seed oil is pressed from hemp seeds (without THC, without significant CBD). Its interest is nutritional: rich in omega-3 and omega-6. CBD oil, on the other hand, is a concentrated extract of cannabidiol for wellness use. The two do not have the same composition, the same use, or the same regulatory framework.
Can the tiger nut be replaced in this recipe ?
Yes, with almond powder or finely grated coconut powder, but the nutritional profile (potassium, fiber, omega-9) will not be the same. Tiger nut remains the optimal choice for the anti-stress promise and for the characteristic texture of these energy balls.
How many energy balls to eat per day ?
2 to 3 balls per day are ideal as a snack, especially in the mid-afternoon. Beyond that, the caloric and lipid intake becomes significant. They do not replace a balanced meal but serve as a healthy, nourishing snack that is genuinely active nutritionally.
In practice: the opinion of Éric Viard, tropical agronomist engineer
"When I'm asked where to start to incorporate hemp into the diet without complicating things, I always give this recipe. Three ingredients, five minutes, and a real nutritional gesture: the omega-3s from hemp oil, the potassium and fiber from tiger nuts, the tryptophan from bananas. It's simple, it's good, and it works deeply on what living food does best: soothing the body. I often prepare it on Sundays for the week, to be consumed as a mid-afternoon snack, when stress starts to nibble away at energy." — Éric Viard, founder of Biovie.
Update: April 2026. Article approved by Éric Viard, founder of Biovie and engineer ISTOM, co-author of " Seaweed in everyday life "(Gallimard, 2024) —" Best cookbook in the world, Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2025, and Best cookbook in France, National Academy of Cuisine 2025.
Warning: The information presented in this article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or supplementation. As part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Find all our organic ingredients for raw food on https://www.biovie.fr/en/



