CBD supplements can come in many forms. Whether it’s a CBD oil, a pre-roll, capsules, tea, gummies or a topical cream, there’s a CBD product for every preference. With so many ways to take CBD, you might have wondered if cooking with CBD oil (or any type of CBD) is a good or bad idea. The answer is…it’s generally a good idea, but you might not get the results you’re after.
Benefits of dietary CBD
First things first, you need to know the difference between CBD and hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil contains no CBD. So while it doesn’t provide all the same benefits of CBD oil, it still makes a good dietary oil.
Promising research indicates that taking CBD orally could result in multiple benefits. These including reduced pain, easing inflammation and symptoms of autoimmune conditions, and even reducing anxiety. CBD oil also contains various vitamins and minerals like vitamin Bs and E, calcium, iron, zinc, and more.
CBD oil is most often taken as a few drops held under the tongue. It is best absorbed this way. While CBD can still provide benefits when swallowed, the effects aren’t as strong because it doesn’t enter the bloodstream directly. CBD is fat-soluble, though. If you want to add it to your food, be sure to add it into a fat like a yogurt, a carrier oil like olive oil. And it’s perfect for guacamole.
Even if mixed with healthy fats, however, CBD will take longer to take effect because it needs to be digested before entering the bloodstream. If you’re looking for fast results, it’s best to take it under the tongue.
Adding CBD to food is also a great way to take it as a supplement. Especially if you don’t enjoy the taste of CBD! Just remember to be patient as it will take a few days for the benefits to kick in.
Also Read: 6 questions to ask when buying CBD capsules
Cooking with CBD Oil: The taste of CBD
Unflavored CBD products taste earthy and planty. But you can find flavored CBD oils like berry, peppermint, or lemon-flavored CBD. These are great. Especially if you don’t like the natural taste, which is what drives most people to turn to CBD edibles.
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CBD edibles
If you’d like a CBD-infused treat, you can buy ready made CBD edibles instead of cooking something with CBD yourself.
CBD edibles are more than just CBD oil added to food; they’re anything you can eat or drink that contains CBD. As CBD has taken off in the health and wellness world. We’ve seen the introduction of CBD edibles as cocktails, protein powder, energy drinks, tea, coffee, and of course CBD-infused meals.
You can buy most of these items, but you can also make your own CBD edibles. The simplest way is to add a few drops of CBD oil to meals, desserts, or drinks. But if you want to get fancy you can create your own CBD gummies. Just mix CBD oil, fruit juice, flavoring, and gelatine or agar-agar into an ice mould or gummy bear mould.
Add CBD oil to things that require no heat (like smoothies or salad dressing). This is the easiest way to add CBD into your diet. Cold foods are also a great way to take dietary CBD as it isn’t altered by heat at all.
And according to our Dr. Neil Shah, “Even if you don’t cook CBD at high heat, it’s still at increased risk of degrading more quickly when added to food. So you should refrigerate food as soon as possible if you are not going to eat it in the near future.”
Also Read: Does CBD Help with weight loss? Here’s what the science says
Cooking with CBD Oil: Can I cook or bake with CBD oil?
CBD is a great addition to any diet, but it isn’t a good cooking oil. It begins to break down and lose its perks from about 320 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that using CBD oil on a hot pan doesn’t give you any CBD benefits. If you want to use CBD in food, add it after the meal has been cooked for the best results.
Hemp seed oil can work as a great substitute for any normal cooking oil like olive, coconut, or canola oil. And it’s also the more affordable option than cooking with CBD oil.
Also Read: 7 CBD Product recommendations from yoga instructors, cyclists and personal trainers
Cooking with CBD Oil: Do your research
As with any CBD product, you absolutely need to be clued up on taking CBD in food. There’s a great deal of research on CBD out there. But as usual, we always need more.
Always check that you’re buying a high-quality product. Additionally, you need to know if CBD interacts with any of your medications. So it’s important to check with your doctor if you’re thinking about introducing CBD to your diet. Always disclose if you’re serving CBD to others.
Whether you take it under your tongue, as capsules, or add it to your food, using CBD as a supplement is an easy way to pack some benefits into your diet.
Sian Ferguson is a freelance writer based in Cape Town, South Africa and she has written for publications such as Healthline, Greatist, and Psych Central to name a few.
