Hemp oil is a relatively new product on the market, but also a relatively young one in terms of production, and this means that the road to having better and more standardized sensorial and commercial qualities is still partly to be covered. Currently, production is very fragmented, and hemp seed oil producers are often necessarily limited in terms of turnover and volumes, making raising quality levels more challenging. However, in recent years we have observed an improvement in production and sensory parameters which, reflected in the finished product, allow us to look at the future of the hemp oil market with greater optimism. Whether you want to grow some fast growing weed seeds indoor, or purchase other hemp products, make sure to research the product and its quality first.
What are the characteristics of hemp seeds and oil?
The seeds obtained from hemp, specifically from the Cannabis sativa variety, are a natural source of substances and macronutrients that are very useful for protecting our health. Two primary processing products are obtained from hemp seeds: flour and hemp seed oil, which are obtained by extraction with solvents or pressing. Both flour and hemp oil, often used as a synonym for “hemp seed oil,” can be further processed and become ingredients of various baked goods; in the specific case of oil, this can also be used directly raw.
What are the beneficial effects on our bodies?
There are many beneficial nutritional properties in hemp seeds. Whole and hulled hemp seeds, which contain between 25% and 35% of proteins, compared to other vegetable oils, do not expose us to the so-called anti-nutritional factors, such as phytic acid, which, instead, represent a sometimes a strong criticality, as occurs in the case of soybean oil.
Furthermore, wholemeal seeds have a very high fiber content, reaching around 28 g per 100 g, making them very interesting food for those with a lazy intestine or, worse, suffer from constipation. In hulled seeds, this advantage is less evident because the number of fibres is reduced to about 12 g per 100 g; at the same time, however, the preparation times are shortened because the soaking phase is shortened, which is necessarily required if you use the whole seeds.
Hemp seeds as they are can also be used as salad ingredients as well as being transformed into flour or hemp oil. In the case of hemp seed flour, a fiber content of 47 g per 100 g can be reached, and the proteins it contains, equal to about one-third of its weight, are considered complete, i.e., comparable to egg proteins in terms of their composition in amino acid equivalents. Seed proteins are nutritionally noble because they contain all the essential amino acids to which numerous vitamins such as A, E, B1, B2, PP, and C are added and micronutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. The health properties of hemp seeds, which are also found in flours, are very interesting because they demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties, useful for the cytoskeletal system and the digestion phase, and for strengthening the immune system. Furthermore, the minor components of hemp seeds are useful for reducing serum cholesterol and have clear hypotensive effects.
What are the nutritional properties of hemp oil?
Hemp oil, on the other hand, is particularly rich in the family of unsaturated fats being able to add a concentration of monounsaturated fats such as oleic acid (10-16%) to a high concentration of polyunsaturated fats, of which about 75% consists of linoleic acid (45-60%) and linolenic acid (14-30%). It is precisely the latter that represents the true added health value of hemp seed oil. However, this richness in the polyunsaturated component also represents its “Achilles heel” because their instability and tendency to oxidize easily make hemp oil unsuitable for frying and being stored in an unsuitable way; however, at the same time, it is very suitable for raw use.
Furthermore, it is precisely the ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids that is considered optimal. Introducing polyunsaturated fats randomly is not the right nutritional solution; this ratio must be around 1 to 3 to have more protective fats such as omega 3 and not too many pro-inflammatory fats as omega 6 instead. From this point of view given hemp oil represents the best source of unsaturated fats with the best ratio between polyunsaturated fats, to which is added the presence of Vitamin E as a natural antioxidant.
Conclusion
The hemp plant provides excellent health benefits in both its seed and oil forms. Purchasing these products has never been easier as with companies such as SensorySeeds, a leader in selling seeds and other products in Europe. Enjoy the natural hemp plant’s many health benefits for reasonable prices and high quality.