Table 1.

Selected hemp features and related benefits.

Hemp Feature	Benefits
Protein	The high nutritional value of hemp protein can help one to reach the adequate intake of protein in a vegetarian diet without animal sources.
Essential fatty Acids	A vegetarian diet has limited sources of EFAs, especially omega 3. The advantageous ratio of n6/n3 in hemp oil can help to obtain a balanced intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Calcium	There are limited sources of calcium in a vegetarian diet without milk and dairy usage. Using various plant foods including hemp can help to reach the RDA for calcium.
Iron	In a vegetarian diet, there are only low-bioavailable sources of iron so different iron-rich foods must be used, and hemp can have a high content of this mineral.
Fiber	Even if all plant-based foods are rich in dietary fibers, the functional properties of insoluble fiber from hemp can stimulate its consumption.
Phytochemicals	The high content of bioactive molecules with health effects can stimulate the consumption of hemp in a plant-based context.
Environmental impact	Considering the wide motivation for a vegetarian diet adoption, the low impact of hemp cultivation can prompt the use of hemp as an eco-friendly plant-based source.
Versatility	Hemp can have promising features, and the seeds can be employed in various industrial productions including some products of interest for a vegetarian diet such as plant-based milk and meat alternatives. Moreover, employed as a fortifier, hemp derivatives can be used in supplement and bakery products.