Is CBD Oil (Cannabis) REALLY a Superfood?

Is CBD a“Superfood”? it is a buzzword on the health landscape that claims that some foods have extreme benefits due to super high amounts of vitamins and minerals when compared to other foods.

A quick search on the internet brings up many examples of superfoods that can include things like berries, eggs, dark greens, carrots, papayas, green tea, legumes, and the list goes on.

If the only criteria of a superfood, however, is that it contains high amounts of vitamins and minerals, then pretty much everything nature produces qualifies as a superfood. Considered to be a marketing tactic by many nutrition professionals and scientists, most superfoods are just nutrient-dense foods when compared to “non-foods” like processed junk and coloured drinks in plastic bottles.

Is Cannabis a Superfood?

Before we figure out if CBD (Cannabidiol) is a superfood, let’s clarify what CBD does, what it’s used for and how to take it. An in-depth article with everything you need to know about CBD  can be found here if you’d like more information as this is just a summary.

Promoted as a cure-all for a wide variety of conditions, CBD is used mainly to treat symptoms of pain and inflammation resulting from underlying diseases in the body. When used with holistic therapy, it can bring relief while the body is allowed to heal itself. Considered to be very safe, CBD oil doesn’t contain the dangerous chemicals typically found in over-the-counter pain relievers.

When ingested orally or smoked, CBD-rich cannabis acts on the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system of the body to release neurotransmitters that can relieve pain and bring balance. Scientific research has shown CBD to be an effective treatment for various conditions that can include chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and depression.

CBD Oil Nutrition Facts

Now that we understand how CBD works in the body we can see that it acts in a beneficial manner to bring pain relief and relieve inflammation for a wide variety of conditions.

To qualify as a superfood however, we must look at its nutritional profile. Our Green Cuisine CBD Oil is made from CBD paste and olive oil, so we’ll use it as an example.

Olive oil has been promoted as one of the healthiest oils available. Consuming olive oil may lower your heart disease risk by reducing cholesterol and by preventing blood from clotting too easily and blocking blood flow. It is also believed to assist in blood sugar control in some people.

While taking CBD oil drops may not provide you with much olive oil in a single session, it is helpful to note that they are not created with cheap vegetable or industrial seed oils. Despite being promoted as “healthy” alternatives to other fats (by the industry itself mostly), the truth is that these oils make human beings sick due to toxins and chemicals resulting from how they are processed.

The Nutritional Value of Cannabis Leaf

Dr. William Courtney, a medical doctor, is a well-known promoter of the “raw greens” cannabis movement that advocates the nutritional power and overall beneficial health effects of consuming raw cannabis.

Through the use of raw cannabis leaves in salads, smoothies and juices, Dr. Courtney believes that raw cannabis triggers an antioxidant release. Considered to behave as “cleaners” in the body, antioxidants are believed to remove damaged cells and promote well-being.

In addition, some sources claim that cannabis is a “great” source of complete protein that is easy to digest and high in healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Vitamins and Minerals in Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil

Rather than just CBD, “full-spectrum” hemp oil contains a wide array of many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.

Of the 117 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, CBD is the most abundant followed by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the cannabinoid that creates the euphoric or “high” feeling.

Cannabinoids such as CBC (cannabichromene), CBG (cannabigerol), and CBN (cannabinol) form the bulk of the remaining cannabinoid profile, offering different effects on the body.

Besides containing an abundant supply of CBD, full-spectrum hemp oil is thought to contain many essential vitamins and minerals including:

• Vitamins A, C, E and B-complex (niacin, riboflavin and thiamine)
• Beta Carotene
• Iron
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Phosphorus

For all the reasons and more, CBD oil is considered to be nutritious. But can we really claim it’s a superfood?

The Bottom Line

CBD oil might be considered to be a superfood due to the high nutritional profile of cannabis, which includes many essential vitamins and minerals. But since the standard CBD oil dosage is just a few drops under the tongue, it really cannot be a reliable source of these elements.

The overwhelming truth is that taking CBD oil to get superfood benefits makes about as much sense as going to one class for one day a week for half the class time while playing on your phone and hoping to get a university degree. It’s just not going to happen unless a person drinks a cup at a time which is not only gross, but super expensive!

We might sell CBD oil, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to contribute to an internet full of fake information that promises that CBD cures everything. Let’s ask ourselves a key question: are superfood benefits the reason to take CBD?

Of course not!

CBD is awesome for relieving pain, bringing balance and reducing inflammation while a person works at healing their body. It works with a healthy diet and balanced movement to bring better health.

That’s why many scientists claim that the future of CBD as a treatment is “very bright indeed”.