John Myers
Food from the hemp plant is trendy. In addition to valuable nutrients, some products may contain quantities of the psychoactive substance THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that are harmful to health.
The essentials in brief:
- Hemp seeds contain high-quality protein, fatty acids and fiber. Seeds, protein powder and oils are foods.
- Foods containing hemp can contain measurable amounts of the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), although only low-THC hemp can be used in Europe.
- In particular, athletes should be careful with hemp products of any kind, as doping-relevant substances may be detected in the urine after consumption.
- According to a BGH fundamental judgment, the sale of hemp tea (leaves, blossoms) is considered a violation of the Narcotics Act.
- Foods made entirely or partially from the leaves or flowers of the plant often have higher levels of THC.
- Health impairments are possible for people who consume many hemp products, especially dietary supplements, as well as for children or pregnant women.
Hemp seeds, hemp leaf tea and Co.
Foods containing hemp are trendy and are conquering the shelves of supermarkets and beverage markets, organic shops and internet shops. Hemp seeds, hemp oil, hemp flour, hemp tea, chocolate, muesli bars and mustard with hemp, hemp drinks such as beer or lemonade and also dietary supplements such as CBD oil or hemp protein powder are offered. Even grilled sausage with hemp oil is on offer.
There are primarily foods on the market that contain hemp seeds or the protein or oil obtained from hemp seeds as an ingredient in the products. Like nuts, flaxseed and sesame seeds, for example, hemp seeds contain high-quality fat, protein, vitamins, fiber and minerals. Depending on the product, the protein content is between 20 and 35 percent. Hemp seed oil contains a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (approx. 80 percent) and valuable proportions of the essential fatty acids linoleic acid (approx. 60 percent) and α-linolenic acid (approx. 20 percent), an omega-3 fatty acid. Furthermore, the oil is rich in B vitamins and vitamin E, as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium and iron.
Numerous health effects are attributed to hemp seeds in advertising and in Internet forums. Among other things, they are said to help muscles recover after exercise and help with weight loss and lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. However, this has not been scientifically proven. Consequently, the EU has not approved any statement on any health effects of hemp seeds or oil derived from them.
Depending on the composition of their product, however, manufacturers may emphasize individual nutritional properties: such as “high fiber content”, “rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids”, “natural protein source” or “rich in omega-3 fatty acids”.
In contrast to hemp seeds, however, leaves and flowers contain so-called cannabinoids. Some of these can affect the psyche (psychoactive substances such as THC). Through contact with these cannabinoid-containing plant parts, for example during harvest, the seeds can also be contaminated with THC.
Athletes watch out
Attention: The consumption of hemp products can lead to the detection of prohibited cannabinoids in the urine of athletes, e.g. cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) lead. Of course, this is especially true when using CBD products.
Intoxicating THC in hemp-containing foods
(Tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the cannabinoids that affect the psyche – in contrast to cannabidiol (CBD). Today’s fiber hemp varieties (not to be confused with hemp for drug production) have a low THC content of less than 0.2 percent according to EU specifications. No other hemp may be grown in Europe.
Hemp seeds naturally contain no THC. However, they can come into contact with THC-rich plant parts (flowers, leaves or stems) during harvest. As a result, THC can be found in measurable amounts in commercially available hemp seeds and foods made from them. Because of the high THC content, there are always product recalls, e.g. for hemp oils.
There is no standardized limit value for THC in food throughout Europe. The Federal Institute for Health Consumer Protection and Veterinary Medicine has derived THC guide values for food. They are intended as a guide for manufacturers and food control.
- 5 micrograms (µg) per kilogram (kg) for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
- 5000 µg/kg for edible oils
- 150 µg/kg for all other foods
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BFR) explains that, based on the current state of knowledge, it does not expect any harmful effects if the guideline values are observed. However, the authority emphasizes that the guideline values are only provisional, as it has not yet been finally clarified to what extent individual effects of THC depend on the dose.
According to the statement by the BFR , however, the guideline values are often exceeded. This is particularly the case with hemp-containing tea-like products, which consist in particular of hemp leaves and possibly hemp flowers, which naturally contain THC. However, increased levels have also been detected in products made from hemp seeds. Very high levels of THC have been found in dietary supplements containing hemp. According to the statement by the BFR, 94 percent of the samples exceeded the guideline value.
Health impairments are possible, especially in people who consume many hemp products, especially dietary supplements, in children or pregnant women. They can be made worse by alcoholic beverages and certain medicines. Conversely, THC can also affect the effects of medications such as heart medication or anticoagulants.
THC in foods of animal origin through feed containing hemp
Hemp and products made from it have a wide range of uses in animal nutrition.
According to the BFR, the extent to which THC is transferred into animal products cannot be estimated due to a lack of data. However, the BFR assumes that dairy cows – even with only low levels of THC in the feed – also permanently excrete the cannabinoid via the milk: “Consequently, milk and milk products from animals that receive feed made from hemp and hemp products could contain traces of THC .” The European Food Safety Authority does not currently see any health risk here, even if the study situation is still insufficient overall.
If you want to be on the safe side, you can use nuts, flax and sesame seeds, which are also valuable, instead of hemp seeds. For example, walnut or linseed oil can be used instead of hemp oil. These are guaranteed free of THC.
