Absorbed better: Depends on how you mean better. Faster? Absolutely not. Using your example vs. Optimum 100% Whey (what I think of as a "baseline brand" even if it's got nothing to do with saving the planet or bolstering one's ethical high-ground), Hemp has more than twice the fat and 6g of fiber that whey does not.
While this isn't a problem nutritionally, if you're going for a fast-absorbing protein, whey shoots it in the shin with a crossbow.
I would argue that hemp could be considered healthier if you are not already getting your EFAs through some other source, though, so don't worry about any of that fat being bad for you. It just slows digestion.
Now as far as overall absorption? That's a tough call for me. While whey isn't going to be sitting in your system as long to be broken down (unless you're mixing it in something other than water, like milk...) and it could be argued that you pee it out sooner, hemp is mostly insoluble fiber, so though it might take a little bit longer to go through your system from soluble fiber/fat, you're going to be crapping it out a lot sooner.
Ultimately, though, insulin response and sensitivity are what will decide what absorbs "the best." If you're a hypersensitive person because you eat low-carb/high volume lifter/from fasting/just are, then you're going to benefit more from whey, because you're going to be able to meet the digestive demands from it before it completes its course through your body. As a post-workout shake, for example, I would prefer whey over hemp.
On the other hand, I could argue the use of hemp if you're on the slower side, BUT ONLY BECAUSE it has the potential to improve your insulin sensitivity just like any other source of fiber would.
I might consider hemp instead of casein before bedtime. (Anecdotally: I have a lot of fiber in my diet anyway. This stuff might make you crap yourself.)
If you were just worried about money: you're spending the same amount of money per pound for less protein if you buy hemp. 225g protein per pound for hemp vs 336g/lb for whey. I suspect you already knew this but... whatever, lol.
Let's see what else am I missing... Oh yeah. The 50% protein thing it's claiming is that 50% of it's calories are coming from protein. I just like truth in advertising.
Hemp kicks soy's ass. So if you're going vegan or something, kudos to you for finding it.
Something I found on bb.com
This post was edited by MrBobMarley on Sep 25 2011 09:35pm