Hemp juice
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Hemp juice is a non-psychoactive juice that is obtained from industrial hemp by cold pressing . It is the basis of various products in the fields of food, medicine and cosmetics and is enjoyed as a tension-relieving drink. In addition, thanks to its full-bodied umami taste, it offers the option of seasoning food and drinks heartily.
According to current studies , the cannabinoid CBD contained in industrial hemp in particular has high potential in the field of medical applications.
Due to its high protein content, hemp juice offers interesting options as a dietary supplement. This can also be seen under the aspect of considerable advantages in the cultivation of industrial hemp over other plants.
description
Hemp juice made from industrial hemp, which is cold-pressed before the seeds ripen, is an emulsion whose essential ingredients are in the suspended particles of the juice. Industrial hemp consists of hemp varieties with a THC content of less than 0.2%, which are defined and approved as food in the EU.
Ingredients and properties
ingredients
Hemp juice contains most of the ingredients found in the plant in natural form. The highest levels of cannabinoids and proteins are found in the hemp plant before the seeds ripen when it is still green.
In addition to omega-n-fatty acids, essential ingredients are more than 100 proven cannabinoids , to which special receptors in the human body respond ( endocannabinoid system / signal transduction ). Hemp is the only plant source of cannabinoids.
The juice pressed from industrial hemp contains many easily digestible proteins, in particular all eight amino acids that are essential for humans, as well as numerous minerals, vitamins and polyphenols .
effect
The cannabinoids in raw hemp juice are in a different chemical form than when they are heated. The cannabinoids are activated by heating. The hemp or hemp juice approved in Europe does not produce a "high" even when heated due to its minimal THC content of <0.2%.
The non-psychoactive varieties in particular are often particularly rich in other cannabinoids, especially rich in CBD (cannabidiol). Cannabinoids characterize the evaluative function of the frontal lobe “soft” ( signal transduction ). In this respect, hemp juice has a relaxing and calming effect as well as positive effects on depression and anxiety. It offers relaxing, anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects and works against nausea thanks to the cannabidiol .
In addition, hemp juice has a natural taste-enhancing effect and is therefore suitable as an additive to salty and sweet dishes or drinks. In this way, the consumption of salt and sugar can be reduced, which benefits health care.
Measurement method for the ingredients
Today's measurement methods for cannabinoids are based on the extraction of liquid from the hemp plant. In addition, research and studies at the University of Wuppertal have shown that the extracts contain a maximum of 10% of the original ingredients. In addition, there is a risk of dangerous solvent residues in extracts.
There are currently no direct measurement methods for measuring the amounts of cannabinoids in hemp juice. The EU is currently working on the development of a uniform procedure. In a method used as an alternative to extraction, the hemp juice was first filtered and centrifuged. As a result, all traces of cannabinoids had disappeared, the ingredients of the hemp plant are retained in the unfiltered hemp juice alone.
Taste and color
The juice of the upper leaf stands is intensely green in color and tastes bitter-hempy on its own. The juice from the stalks and shives of the hemp plant is lighter and tastes sweet. Hemp juice has a full-bodied umami taste, which is based on the multitude of proteins in hemp. Even in a small mixture with juices made from vegetables and fruits, the bitter turns into a fresh, sweet taste. The existing fructose is enhanced in taste by the cannabinoids.
Extraction
Harvest and pressing
Hemp juice is obtained directly after harvest using protected industrial processes. The upper part of the plant, i.e. the leaves and inflorescences, which were previously unused in the production of industrial hemp fiber, are cold-pressed under pressure immediately after harvest. With this process, a high-quality part of the plant is obtained for human consumption instead of rotting in the field as before. All ingredients and active ingredients are retained. The juice obtained in this way does not compete with the extraction of fibers and shives.
This industrial process produces approx. 3 tons of hemp juice per hectare. These new extraction methods enable a considerably greater profitability and sustainability in the cultivation of industrial hemp. The cold pressing also preserves the herbal ingredients.
The two harvesting methods commonly used for juice production, “capping” the upper hemp plant or “stripping” the leaves and upper inflorescences, result in different amounts of cannabinoids in the hemp juice, so that the harvesting method already influences the quality.
Only the upper, leaf-rich part of the plant is harvested for juice extraction, so that the rest can still be used for the industrial extraction of fibers and shives. The "juice harvest" therefore brings a considerable additional economic benefit without affecting the "fiber harvest". In climates in which hemp seeds do not ripen, for example in Northern Europe, the extraction of juice as an additional use of the hemp plant is of particular advantage.
The pomace can be dried or fermented and used as fodder. The cold pressing of the fibers and shives also offers an additional use of the plant. The juice from the stems and shives can be used in biogas plants or fermented to produce lactic acid. The fibers and shives do not lose their value for further industrial processing through the pressing.
Juice content
The sap content in the plant depends on the age of the plant. Young plants contain more sap than older ones. The least amount of juice is obtained from plants after the seeds have ripened, when the leaves are already senescent . Depending on the type of juicer, the amount of resulting juice varies significantly. On average, about 50% of the plant's weight can be obtained in juice.
The ratio of water content and solids content shows a high solids content in the inflorescences and the lowest solids content in leaf stands with mature seeds. The solids content in the fibers is only half as high and lowest in the shives. The relatively high dry matter content therefore suggests a higher proportion of solid components such as carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, fats as well as cannabinoids and polyphenols.
Partial harvest
If an increased amount of hemp tips is to be harvested, it is possible to drive over the field a few weeks after sowing and only harvest the upper shoots. This promotes the side shoot, so that the plant grows back bushier. The newly grown shoots are later harvested with the ripe seeds. In this way, both hemp juice and hemp seeds can be obtained from the same field.
durability
To preserve the freshly squeezed juice, it is frozen, whereby the quality of the juice depends on the time it takes to freeze. Another way of preservation is the freeze-drying of the juice. It is also preserved through pasteurization of the juice and further processing. The cannabinoids are separated from their acidic components by heating and thus activated. The juice can be fermented by various methods, preferably by adding yeast and sugar.
use
The juice is drinkable in its pure form; it is primarily used as a basis for beverages and food, spices, food supplements, medical products and cosmetics. In addition to the juice yield, the press leftovers can also be used as a dietary supplement.
Delimitations
Hemp juice is clearly different from other liquid products made from the hemp plant. Hemp milk , like soy milk, is made from the seeds of the plant. Hemp oil is also extracted from the seeds by pressing. Leaves and flowers are used to make hemp beer . Hemp juice, on the other hand, is pressed out of the plant and introduced into beverage production as juice. As a result, the added value from the plant is higher, because the ingredients and water are retained.
Even when used in smoothies , where the plant is pureed with fruits and other ingredients in a blender, all ingredients and the plant water are retained.
beverages
The juice makes a good basis for various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Its relaxing effect makes it suitable as a basis for lifestyle drinks. Examples:
- as a light or dark, beer-like hemp drink without alcohol
- as a fermented mix without alcohol (vegetable juices, fruit juices)
- as an addition to fruit and vegetable juices to optimize the sweet taste and to increase the nutritional value as well as to improve the taste ( umami )
- as a drink with a higher alcohol content through distillation (e.g. hemp schnapps)
- as herbal liqueur, bitters by adding alcohol and sugar
- as a mix with alcohol (cocktails)
- as a brewing ingredient for hemp beer
A hemp beer based on hemp juice does not need any grain mash, is low in calories and gluten-free. Hemp provides the fine, bitter taste instead of hops , which also belong to the hemp family.
Condiments
Hemp juice is suitable as a flavor enhancer in meals, for example to reduce the salt and sugar content of finished products while at the same time intensifying the taste. Examples:
- Hemp salt: The juice is mixed with natural table salt and used for cooking as well as for cold seasoning. As a result, the cannabinoids are consumed in their natural form as cannabinoid acid as well as in their heated form (the acid component is split off). Hemp salt in its effect as a natural flavor enhancer can thus help to reduce salt consumption.
- Hemp sugar or hemp syrup: In combination with fruit juices, sugar or sweet foods, hemp juice can reduce the consumption of sugar and the calorie content of beverages, as hemp juice enhances the sweet taste.
- Hemp juice as an umami taste component is suitable for mixing, cooking, baking and in finished products, in beverages, spice mixtures, pastries, jams, soups ( hemp soup ), etc.
Nutritional supplement
The high-quality cannabinoids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and polyunsaturated fats contained in the juice are ideal for avoiding deficiency symptoms and for building up the body. For example, hemp is used by athletes in the form of protein powder. Hemp juice thus represents a natural alternative to industrially produced hemp protein. The dietary fiber in the pressed leftovers is also an ideal dietary supplement.
Medicine
The findings of traditional medicine are now intensively researched, especially in the USA, in the field of medical cannabis. When cannabis is used as a medicinal product , the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the focus of research and treatment. The cannabis varieties with a high CBD content, such as Cannabis sativa, used in the production of hemp juice strengthen the parasympathetic nervous system. The cannabidiol (CBD) contained in the hemp juice has a relaxing, anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effect. It is used in cancer therapy, among other things.
Hemp juice can also be used as an additive in creams or gels for medicinal purposes such as curing eczema.
Examples of hemp juice in medical applications:
- as a therapeutic agent for epilepsy
- as an antidepressant
- as part of burnout prevention
- as a component of healing ointments against eczema and skin irritations
Addition to cosmetic products
The juice with its rich polyphenol, vitamin and protein content is ideal as a component of skin creams. As a bath additive, hemp salt has a soothing effect on neurodermatitis .
Care products for leather
In particular, the evaporation liquid collected from the evaporation process results in a usable liquid substance within the recycling chain, which is suitable, for example, for leather care. The material can be cleaned and kept supple with it.
See also
Web links
- European Industrial Hemp Association website
- “Medical Cannabis in the USA” English Wikipedia on the subject of medical hemp
- '' Sana Hemp Juice '' website of the first hemp juice supplier in the EU
- '' Green Snake '' website on rights and patents for industrial cold pressing of hemp
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e F. Grotenhermen, M. Berger, K. Gebhardt: Cannabidiol (CBD) • A cannabis-containing compendium. Verlag Nachtschatten, Solothurn (Switzerland) 2015, ISBN 978-3-03788-369-3 . (Publisher site)
- ↑ a b c Charlotts Web (Charlotte Figi): “Charlotts Web”
- ↑ a b X.-S. Wanga, C.-H. Tanga, X.-Q. Yanga, W.-R. Gao: Characterization, amino acid composition and in vitro digestibility of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) proteins. In: Food chemistry. 107, 1, 2008, pp. 11-18. (Proteins in hemp)
- ↑ Hemp Farming: "Article"
- ↑ a b c Study 2012 / Deutsche Bergischen Universität Wuppertal / Charlott Dreyer: Analytical characterization of the ingredients of hemp juice.
- ↑ a b Hemp as an antidepressant. ( Memento of the original from September 23, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b Thomas Voet: Modulation of Temperature-Sensitive TRP Channels. 24th Annual Symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, International Cannabinoid Research Society, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 2014, p. N2.
- ↑ Consumer advice center NRW "Reduce salt"
- ↑ Hemp juice via centrifugation - menal GmbH, Emmerdingen (Freiburg)
- ↑ K. Talavera, K. Yasumatsu, R. Yoshida, RF Margolskee, T. Voets, Y. Ninomiya, B. Nilius: The taste transduction channel TRPM5 is a locus for bitter-sweet taste interactions. In: FASEB J. 22, 2008, pp. 1343–1355 (full text)
- ↑ Endocannabinoids selectively enhance sweet taste. In: PNAS - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , and Monell Center This is Your Tongue on Cannabis.
- ↑ Patents for the industrial pressing of hand plants: "Patents"
- ↑ Protein from hemp: "hanfproteine.org"
