engleski

Cannabis sativa L. - from prohibited drug to a nutritional supplement

Cannabis sativa L., commonly called hemp represents a herbaceous anemophilous plant that belongs to the Cannabinaceae family with a long history of use as food, feed, fiber, oil, and medicine. Throughout its long history of use, from around 12 000 years ago to the present day, the Cannabinaceae family of plants has gone through many ups and downs, especially through the 20th century which included bans on the use of hemp in various areas. However, today, due to better knowing the composition of hemp, its effects on the body and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) hemp is increasingly used as an ingredient in food preparation, as well as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and chronic degenerative diseases. Cannabinoids include more than 100 components of various positive health effects, the most famous of which are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as the most psychoactive component that is one of the "culprits" for the bad reputation of cannabis. In addition to that, it is important to note that Cannabis sativa L. has a high nutritional content, which is why all parts of the plant, including the stem, seeds, roots and flowers, have been used for food, feed, and therapeutic purposes for a long time. In today's market, hemp is used in a variety of food items, including bakery, confectionery, beverages and dairy, most often as plant or seeds. Due to a high market growth for hemp-containing products where bioactive components can be concentrated during production, it is important to optimize the possibility of positive health effects while at the same time reduce the possibility of safety hazards. The benefits but also possible disadvantages of such developed products must be examined using well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind research studies on which regulatory authorities should make decisions about products available on the market as well as their health claims.

hemp; cannabinoids; health effects

nije evidentirano