How to choose a CBD oil – it’s a tough question because there are so many on the market.
The interest in CBD is at an all time high and there is good reason for it. The reason is the link between wellness and plant based products.
A study from DuPont Nutrition & Health reported that 52% of U.S. consumers eat plant-based foods because they believe it makes them feel healthier. As a result, sales of plant-based foods are skyrocketing.
The desire for plant-based products expands to skincare – a quarter of consumers report purchasing plant-based skincare, and 39% say they would buy products with plant-based ingredients. Consumers are seeking brands that are better for them and the environment.
What are Hemp Cannabinoids and CBD?
CBD fast became an ingredient that many wanted to include in their routines because of this increased interest in plant-based products.
It’s just one of many naturally occurring compounds found within hemp, collectively called cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids help protect hemp plants during growth. Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate pain, mood, appetite, and immunity.
CBD is non-psychoactive and is federally legal.
While hemp and Marijuana (commonly referred to as cannabis) are both technically the same plant Cannabis sativa, during the thousands of years of cultivation, the plants have diverged to have dramatically different properties.
Over time, hemp lost most of its THC content while CBD content increased.
Today, the US Federal government defines hemp as having less than 0.3% THC, which is about 30-60x less THC than a typical marijuana plant.
How to buy quality CBD products
John Heiss, PhD, Senior Director of World-Wide Innovation at Herbalife Nutrition created this checklist for CBD quality control.
When purchasing CBD look for:
- 3rd party lab testing to assure products meet label claim, and do not contain undisclosed THC.
- Quality ingredients, and absence of ingredients such as parabens and sulfates, which many consumers eschew.
- Dermatologist safety testing: assurance the products won’t cause unexpected irritation and is a testament to the manufacture’s commitment to safety.
