If you read our blogs often, you’ve probably heard a lot about CBD and CBD oil. What about hemp oil – is it the same thing, or is it something completely different? Let’s take a closer look.
Hemp oil (hemp seed oil) is the oil obtained by pressing hemp seeds. The cold-pressed, unrefined hemp seed oil has a dark to light green color and a nutty taste. The darker the color, the more aromatic the flavor.
Hemp oil is completely different from hemp oil and does not affect consciousness. It is also different from CBD oil. The oil extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the hemp plant – rich in cannabidiol (CBD) – also has slightly different positive properties than hemp seed oil. It is commonly referred to as CBD oil. To see more differences between hemp seed oil and CBD oil, read this blog.
How is hemp seed oil produced?
Hemp seed oil is used in many ways in the industry, has several industrial uses, and is a nutritious dietary supplement with incredible health benefits. There are several processes for extracting hemp seed oil. The extraction process usually depends on the intended use.
Seed purification
Threshing and sieving the seeds, either manually or mechanically, is very important to ensure that no plant matter adheres to the seeds. The presence of vegetable matter can alter the chemical composition of the oil.
Oil extraction
The extraction process can cause differences in the physical and chemical composition of the oil obtained. Differences in the extraction process also lead to differences in the economics of cultivation.
Ingredients
Hemp seeds contain minerals and nutrients from the hemp plant:
- Vitamin C
- calcium
- iron
- omega-3 fatty acids
- gamma-linolenic acid
- arginine
- magnesium
- B vitamins
It is worth remembering that hemp seeds have high iron content. This helps prevent iron deficiency or anemia. Like other oils and fats, hemp seed oil contains 9 kcal/g. If you found this article interesting, it is very likely you will enjoy further reading at Emagazine.
Use of hemp oil in cooking
Compared to other culinary oils, hemp oil is low in saturated fats and rich in polyunsaturated fats. It has a relatively low temperature and is not suitable for frying. But you can add it to salads and other dishes. It is mainly used as food oil and as a food supplement.
Effects of hemp oil
Until recently, most of the discussion about the potential therapeutic benefits of hemp has focused on cannabinoids. The benefits of hemp seeds and hemp oil – oil pressed from hemp seeds – are still largely unknown.
In a study by William Leonard and others, we can see some of the potential benefits of hemp oil. They found that supercritical fluid and ethanol extracts from hemp seeds induce the release of antioxidant enzymes in the intestines.
Rats fed hemp oil was also found to have lower blood cholesterol, improved memory, reduced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, a healthier gut microbiome, and increased insulin sensitivity and expression of anti-aging genes.
In human studies, hemp oil has had positive effects on skin and mental and neurological disorders. However, the effects of hemp seeds on cardiovascular disease need to be further investigated.