The benefits of hemp seeds for agricultural transition

The Enecta products:

they are not medicines;
they are obtained from hemp varieties registered in the Common European Register and in compliance with the other requirements provided by law 242/2016;
they have been duly notified in the European Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP).

Our blog articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to qualify our products as medicines or to attribute therapeutic properties to them.

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I hemp seeds Enecta has been the subject of study by three Italian universities: the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies at the University of Turin, the Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Turin, and the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Messina. The studio has explored the potential of Carmaenecta, Enectaliana ed Enectarol, three hemp genetics grown in the same environment (Abruzzo), to understand if they can become a nutritious alternative for the feeding of farm animals in a sustainable agriculture context. We tell you everything.

Hemp and the food industry

In recent years, the food industry has been at the center of a heated debate due to its environmental impact. From production to processing, from transportation to irrigation, every stage of the food cycle has an ecological footprint that is becoming increasingly heavy. The growing global demand for food, combined with issues related to climate change, makes it necessary to rethink our agricultural models. In this context, the European Union is pushing for a transition towards more sustainable agriculture, thanks to strategies such as the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork (F2F) plan, which aims to make food systems fairer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly. Among the most promising solutions to address these challenges is a crop that is gaining increasing attention: Cannabis sativa L or hemp. With its unique nutritional profile and low environmental impact, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) could become a key ingredient for the agriculture of the future, both for human and animal nutrition.

The benefits of hemp seeds for animal health

In addition to having a direct impact on environmental health, the hemp plant is also a valuable resource from a nutritional standpoint. The hemp seeds indeed, like thehemp oil, they are a nutrient-rich food and an excellent source of proteins, lipids, and essential fatty acids. With an average protein content of 25% on a dry matter basis and a high concentration of lipids (about 31%), hemp seeds are an ideal ingredient for animal feed. Among the lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) stand out, reaching 80% and including linoleic acid (LA) e α-linolenic acid (ALA), that is omega 6 and omega 3, essential for the well-being of animals.

In particular, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as theγ-linolenic acid (GLA), which is found only in hemp and a few other plants, are known for their positive effects on the immune system, blood clotting, and the health of the brain and eyes. These fatty acids are not found in any other common industrial oilseed crop, making hemp a truly unique ingredient for feeding animals in a healthy and balanced way.

The fiber contained in hemp seeds is particularly beneficial for the digestive system, although its high concentration may not be ideal for all animals. The monogastric, like chickens and pigs, may have difficulty digesting fiber due to the lack of enzymes needed to break down structural carbohydrates. However, insoluble fiber can have positive effects on health, improving the insulin sensitivity, lowering the cholesterol and supporting intestinal health, thanks to fermentation by the intestinal microbiota.

Furthermore, the phenolic compounds e antioxidants present in hemp seeds, including flavonoids and tocopherols, are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and even antitumor properties. Studies suggest that including hemp seeds in animal diets can improve the quality of animal-derived products, such as eggs, milk and meat, enriching them with nutrients beneficial to human health.

Hemp seeds for animal diets: research results

The researchers evaluated various elements of the three varieties, such as the content of fat, proteins e antioxidants. They also analyzed the total phenols, substances that strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. For the analysis, they used advanced scientific instruments, such as the gas chromatography to identify the different fatty acids, and the liquid chromatography HPLC to find bioactive compounds such as the N-trans-Caffeoyltyramine. This is a special molecule found in hemp seeds that appears to have a protective effect on the body.

All the seed varieties analyzed have demonstrated beneficial properties for animal health, thanks to the high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. This type of fat helps to keep the risks of cardiovascular problems low, due to their favorable atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenicity (TI) indices. Furthermore, the ratio between cholesterol-lowering and cholesterol-raising fats is balanced.

Enectaliana, Enectarol and Carmaenecta

The research highlighted the properties of the seeds and the unique characteristics of each variety:

Enectaliana has shown the highest content of protein and dietary fiber. This makes it an interesting choice as a protein supplement, especially for animal feeds that require high energy and support for digestion

Enectarol has emerged as the variety with the highest lipid content, especially of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) such as oleic acid, which is more stable compared to polyunsaturated fatty acids. This makes it particularly useful for foods that require stability during processing, such as aged products. Furthermore, Enectarol has also shown the best antioxidant activity, being rich in compounds like N-trans-Caffeoyltyramine and ABTS, which help keep oxidation low, a key feature for extending the shelf life of food products.

Carmaenecta has stood out for a particularly interesting fatty acid profile, with a low amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and a high presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This combination promotes optimal nutritional indices and is ideal for fresh products enriched with healthy fats, suitable for example for the feeding of pigs intended for fresh meat production

The diversity in the chemical and antioxidant profiles of different hemp varieties suggests great potential for optimizing animal nutrition, tailoring it to the specific needs of different species and product destinations.

But why all these differences between the varieties, if they are grown in the same environment? The answer lies in the unique characteristics of the seeds, which retain their particularities despite the same growing conditions.

Sustainable nutrition: a possible revolution

Hemp seeds are a true "superfood," even for animals! They contain all the essential amino acids and a good dose of antioxidants e they are poised to become sustainable and beneficial ingredients for animal feed. Despite the numerous advantages, however, the cultivation of hemp for food use is still limited, especially in Europe. Nevertheless, interest in this plant is growing. The hemp varieties most commonly used for animal feed are regulated at the European level, with specific regulations regarding the content of THC, the main psychoactive compound, which must not exceed 0.2%. This ensures that hemp seeds intended for animals are safe and free of psychotropic effects.

Although hemp cultivation is still a niche, studies are exploring the nutritional values e il functional potential of this plant, with the aim of better characterizing its properties. With the expansion of cultivation and the entry of hemp into food production chains, it is possible that in the future we will see more and more animal products enriched with its nutrients, leading to a true revolution in sustainable nutrition.