Q: What is hemp oil? I keep hearing about it. Is it healthier than olive oil?

A: Say the word hemp and most of us think of the illegal drug. The hemp plant cannabis sativa is a member of the Cannabaceae family to which marijuana also belongs.

However, all hemp used in the production of hemp oil has had the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ingredient with hallucinogenic properties removed.

Hemp oil is rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids which our bodies don’t produce naturally but which are crucial for healthy circulation, cell growth and the immune system.

A good balance of these omegas has been linked to helping maintain a healthy heart and brain — especially in unborn babies — and relieving conditions such as PMS, eczema, psoriasis, even improving children’s behaviour and concentration. Hemp oil can be used in cakes and biscuits as well as in dressings (mix equal measures of olive oil and hemp oil to enjoy the benefits of both) or drizzled over vegetables.

There’s no need to replace olive oil with hemp — olive oil also has health boosting benefits of its own — just start including it in your diet.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 1st, 2007 at 11:10 am and is filed under Ask Marilyn, Nutrition & Healthy Eating. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.