Hempseed in food industry: Nutritional value, health benefits, and industrial applications

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds have been consumed in Asian communities since prehistoric times. Recently, Australia, Canada, and the United States have legalized the cultivation and consumption of hempseed at low (<0.3%) tetrahydrocannabinol levels, and there's a growing interest in hempseed due to its nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential. This review aims to summarize the chemical composition, nutritional value, and potential health benefits of hempseed, as researched via in vitro and in vivo trials. The application of hempseed in the food industry is limited due to its poor performance on some functional properties, so the latest processing methods developed to improve these properties were compared. Additionally, manufacturing technologies incorporating hemp seeds into existing food products are also elaborated. This review would promote further in-depth research on this recently approved food resources and maximize its utilization in new food product development.