Hempseed oil reaches new highs

Hemp is gaining interest, and not just for its hallucinogenic properties. Low-THC varieties are used not only as a source of fibre for textiles, but also for their oils, which may have a variety of health benefits.

Researchers have recently detailed hempseed oil’s many health-promoting compounds in a study in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

While often used for its high-inducing properties, hemp has been used far more widely for textiles, medicine and food. It contains high levels of vitamins A, C and E and beta carotene, and is rich in protein, carbohydrates, minerals and fibre, Maria Angeles Fernandez-Arche and colleagues say.

The researchers conducted a detailed analysis of hempseed oil and found that it contains a variety of interesting substances such as sterols, aliphatic alcohols and linolenic acids, which research suggests promote good health. One such substance is α-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid that some studies have suggested helps prevent coronary heart disease.

The researchers say the findings could have implications for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and non-food industries.