La 
hempfits fully into the category of superfoodswhich are gaining increasing attention on the market by virtue of their nutritional properties .Here are some ideas.
Hemp, the plant
Hempit is a plant a flower of the family of cannabaceae (o cannabisinaceae), subset of thee Urticals. There are three species - Sativa, Indicates e Ruderalis -and several subspecies.
ร a plantwith an annual cycle, which germinates in spring and blooms in late summer. Even with considerable variations . It develops up to a 'average height of 1,5-2 meters and is characterized by palmate leaves on astraight and hairy stem. L 'pollination is anemophilous, that is, it occurs thanks to the transport of the wind.
Its originit was for a lot of time attributed toll 'Central Asia, where they were found Tracks dicultivation i giร starting from 5.000 BC Recent studies havehowever it proves to l'existence of wild hempa in Europe even before the aforementioned period.
In Italy hempiculture it has developed since the Middle Ages, with prevalence in areas between Bologna and Ferrara, Besides Rovigoand Padua. A famous painting by Guercino, 1615-1616,effectively describes lafatigues a extraction of the bundles of plants from the macerator and their placement in conical piles to dry. Italy was the second largest producer of hemp in the world, after Russia, and its cultivation was far more profitable than the wheat to which it was alternated. Until, immediately after the war, hempiculture collapsed. (1)
The research, in recent years, he then revealed the plant's ability to absorb heavy metals and thus to reclaim land polluted by heavy industry. Successful trials have been conducted for this purpose in Taranto and Cava dei Tirreni.
Hemp, the usages
Industrial hemp (2) it has always been used for the quality of its fiber, useful a to producecordage, letterand fabrics.
Use in food productionand cosmetics - as well as in green buildingand in biofuels - it only dates back to the last few decades .
Hemp seeds and flour, superfoods?
I hemp seedscan be consumed as they are, to dress salads, vegetables and other dishes. That is in the form of hemp flour, to be used both in baked goods and in the production of pasta.
La compositionof the seeds of canapa distinguishes them as a complete food, constitutedoby over 30% d fats (mainly polyunsaturated), about 25% from proteinand as many carbohydrates. In addition to significant quantityร di dietary fibers
and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), as shown in the tables is they follow. (3)
Valuesnutritional the mids whole, hulled hemp seeds and post-squeezing residue (raw panel).
Lto protein qualitypresent in hemp seeds it is also noteworthy. THEedestin combinataalbumin in fact, it favors the availability ofessential amino acids in a perfect proportion, which guarantees our body the elements necessary for the construction of immunoglobulins,which perform the function of antibodies.
Hemp oil, superfoods?
The oilof hemp ,derived from the cold pressing of the seeds ,is composed for over l '80% from polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA) . It is therefore a question of an excellent source of antioxidants and in particular of essential fatty acids (AGE),like l 'acid linoleic (o6, Omega6) el'alpha acidlinolenic (o3, Omega3).
The hemp seed is theuniquefood that naturally contains fatty acids Omega3 e Omega6in a ratio of 2,5: 1, ie 'perfect' for beassimilated by 'mens(Simopoulos et al., 2000).
Hemp for food use, what rules?
Il Ministry of Shello, with its own circular 22. 5.09,admitted to Italy employmentof hemp seed for human nutrition. (4) Dstating that, on the basis of the indications of'Higher Institute of Healthร , 'the possibilityร to detect traces (of THC) in processing products (flours and oils) is exclusively due to contamination of floral organs and'adoption of unsuitable seed husking practices'.
Stay stillathe need ร to adopt suitableself-control plans to ensure product safety, also in the terms of substantial absenceof psychoactive substances ,by farmers and o industry professionalsfeed .
The varieties of industrial hempthat they can belegally grown in Italy are those included in 'list of varietiesร certified at European level. What has been defined we mean by industrial hemp and therefore the varietiesร registered in the Community register, with regular card and THC values โโthat do not exceed 0,2%.(5)
Laura Pontassuglia and Dario Dongo
Footnotes
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An interesting reading, in this regard, a this link
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It is meant by industrial hempthe variety ร substantially freeTHC (tetrahydrocannabinol, psychoactive active ingredient)
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source euphytica 140: 65โ72, 2004. JC Callaway, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kuopio, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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See the cd Law on Hemp, law 242final match.
Originally from Puglia, he has lived in Cesena for several years. He has two children and a cute dog that he adores.After a long experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he became aware that pharmacology is as important as nutrition in the treatment and prevention of diseases. In 2007 he began his career in the food industry dealing first with gluten-free foods and then with functional foods. She is a great supporter of organic food and a conscious diet.
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and รgalitรฉ.
