Hemp has been used in many capacities since as long ago as 8000 BC – it is an agricultural commodity grown for its fibers and extracts. Hemp and its by-products are used to produce textiles such as clothing, canvas, and boat sails; construction materials such as concrete; paper; body lotions and oils; and oil-based products such as candles, lanterns, and paint.1
Long used for livestock feed, hemp has gained traction in human food products as a nutrient-dense, plant-based ingredient in products such as cereals, beverages, and nutrition bars, yet it has only one percent penetration in US households.2 The US hemp market does, however, show growth. The US hemp foods retail market is up to $43.6 million as of February 2018.3 This illustrates that, while the industry is growing, there is space for further expansion and new applications of hemp in food and beverages.
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Hemp sourcing
Experts believe sourcing hemp and hemp by-products will soon be easier to accomplish in the US. Newly-introduced legislation at the federal level is geared toward helping domestic producers be able to legally grow hemp.3
Historically, although sale and consumption of hemp-containing foods and beverages is legal in the US, there are restrictive laws regarding growth of hemp crops. If this new legislation is passed, sourcing domestic hemp rather than seeking out-of-country sources will be dramatically more simple for product manufacturers. Should hemp growth be legalized, it is thought that hemp prices will stabilize and make this plant-based ingredient much more affordable not only for the manufacturer, but then in turn for the consumer.4
Applications and nutrition
Hemp’s flourishing reputation as a food and beverage ingredient is predicated on bolstered recognition as a versatile nutritional powerhouse.5,6 Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted, and are harvested for varied edible products:
- Oil
- Milk
- Flour
- Protein powder
- Beer
- Cereals
- Granola bars
Hemp seeds are extremely nutrient dense, providing 20-25 percent protein, 20-30 percent carbohydrate, 25-30 percent oil including beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, and 10-15 percent insoluble fiber.5 Hemp seeds also boast a cocktail of micronutrients such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and manganese. The antioxidant property of hemp seeds is due to their elevated levels of sterols, carotenoids, and tocopherols that reduce oxidative stress on the body.
The nutrient density of hemp seeds yields health benefits for consumers. These benefits include improved blood cholesterol, decreased blood pressure, and reduced dermatitis.5 Further, the protein content is second only to soybeans in plant-based protein sources, and hemp seeds are gluten-free. These features make hemp seeds an excellent nutrient source for those who cannot have gluten or who follow vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based diets.
Hemp formulation challenges
There are considerations when formulating products that include hemp seeds or their by-products.5
- Shelf-life: Due to the high content of unsaturated fatty acids, hemp seeds and hemp seed products are at increased risk for rancidity. These fats are healthful, but may require that products formulated using hemp seeds or hemp oil be stabilized, possibly using preservatives.
- Differentiation from marijuana: Hemp and marijuana, while related, are not the same plant. If hemp seeds are thoroughly cleaned, it is unlikely that even trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) will be found in hemp seeds or hemp seed products, since most THC is found outside the shell of the seed kernel. It is also noteworthy that cannabidiol (CBD; a compound thought to have medicinal benefits) is present in hemp at a fraction of the concentration it is found in marijuana, which means that medicinal benefits due to CBD specifically, versus other nutrients of hemp seeds, may be limited. Consuming hemp seeds or hemp seed products will not cause a person to become high or test positive on a drug test.
While there are potential cost, shelf-life, and misconception challenges, hemp seeds and their by-products are nutrient dense and provide vast benefits in a small volume. Market growth shows that consumers are increasingly interested in incorporating hemp into their diets, and there is plenty of space in the market for new products.
Further reading
- Growing Ayurvedic Botanical Trends
- Meeting the Challenges of the Functional Foods Market
- Sometimes Life is Fair: Trends in Fair Trade
- MOO-ve Over, Dairy – Milk Alternative Options Are Here
Resources
- Cannabis Reports: Hemp Uses: Top Uses for Hemp
- Food Business News: Hemp Heating Up at Expo East
- FoodNavigator-USA.com: Where next for the US hemp food and beverage market?
- Project NOSH: What Legalizing Industrial Hemp Could Mean for Food
- Today’s Dietitian: Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds
- Andrew Weil, M.D.: How Healthy is Hemp?
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Excellent article Jamie. Globally, the number of new hemp retail products launched has increased consistently. Hemp CBD is becoming widely recognized as a superfood with its high nutritious vitamins, the content of protein, fatty acids minerals, and fiber.
It’s amazing that you put a hemp seeds as ingrdient of some food wont affect the taste of the food and it may taste more delicious and you can benefits with the hemp seeds because it contains many health benefits and the part the you will not get high taking it.