6 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds

Summary
Hemp seeds are rich in healthy fats and
essential fatty acids. They are also a great protein source and contain high
amounts of vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium,
iron and zinc.

Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp seed oil is extracted from seeds of the hemp plant. The extraction occurs through cold-pressing, similar to the way that olives are cold-pressed to make olive oil.

Although the hemp and the cannabis (marijuana) plant belong to the same plant family, Cannabis sativa L, they are two different plants and have different compositions. The most notable difference is the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in each plant. THC is the psychoactive portion of the cannabis plant. It’s the chemical that makes you feel “high”.

While the cannabis plant has high THC levels (up to 28%), the hemp plant’s THC concentration does not exceed 0.3%. Thus, products derived from the hemp plant are unlikely to create a “high” and are mainly used for medicinal purposes.

Health Benefits

The many health benefits of hemp seed oil come from its high content of three polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid. Additionally, its ratio of omega-6 (linoleic acid) to omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) fatty acids is 3:1.

Experts agree that this 3:1 fatty acid ratio is ideal for health benefits in humans.

Hemp seed oil provides the following health benefits:

Improved Skin

A dermatology study found that oral consumption of hemp seed oil improves symptoms of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. Researchers attribute these results to the fatty acids found in hemp seed oil.

Hemp seed oil is also useful in treating other skin conditions, such as cradle cap, psoriasis, and acne. In addition, hemp seed oil strengthens the skin and makes it better able to resist infection.

Lower Blood Pressure

Omega-3 fatty acids abundant in hemp seed oil can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure). Research recommends using omega-3 fatty acid supplements along with blood pressure medicine to lower blood pressure.

Promotes Heart Health

Hemp seed oil is rich in linoleic acid. Studies have shown that eating a diet high in linoleic acid significantly reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol.

Lowering cholesterol levels reduces your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Pain Relief

Hemp seed oil’s anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce pain. You can apply hemp seed oil directly to the painful area for natural pain relief.

Inflammation Reduction

Gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) present in hemp seed oil has been shown to reduce inflammation. A review of studies suggests that natural herbs rich in GLA are effective in relieving symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Supports a Healthy Pregnancy

Hemp seed oil’s high omega-3 fatty acid content makes it a beneficial supplement for women who are pregnant. Studies found that omega-3 fatty acids are vital during pregnancy. They support healthy brain and eye development for the baby and may also help prevent maternal depression.

Health Risks

Although hemp seed oil offers many health benefits, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks.

Lower Blood Pressure

Hemp seed oil’s ability to lower blood pressure may cause issues for people who have chronically low blood pressure. Low blood pressure (hypotension) can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

• Prolonged bed rest
• Pregnancy
• Significant blood loss
• Medications
• Heart problems
• Endocrine problems (hormone imbalances)
• Septic shock (a severe infection)
• Allergic reaction
• Neurally mediated hypotension (miscommunication between the heart and the brain)
• Nutritional deficiencies

If you’re experiencing any of the health conditions listed above, speak to your doctor before using hemp seed oil.

Low blood pressure also increases the risk of complications and death during surgery. Your doctor may recommend you stop using hemp seed oil for a period of time before and after surgery.

Amounts and Dosage

While the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t provide a recommended daily allowance (RDA) for hemp seed oil, you may wish to consume hemp seed oil to receive its beneficial health effects.

The amount of hemp seed oil you take depends on how you use it and what health benefits you would like to obtain. Researchers estimate that three tablespoons of hemp seed oil per day can provide the amount of 3:1 fatty acid ratio needed for a healthy diet.

You can drink hemp seed oil straight or mix it into salad dressings or other foods. You can also use hemp seed oil in place of olive oil for cooking.

One tablespoon (15 milliliters) of hemp seed oil contains:

• Calories: 125
• Total fat: 14 grams
• Saturated fatty acids: 1 gram
• Monounsaturated fatty acids: 2 grams
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 11 grams

As with any oral supplement, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before consuming hemp seed oil.

If you are using hemp seed oil topically, be sure to try a small amount first to test for skin irritation. Hemp seed oil can also be used as a carrier oil for an essential oil mixture.

Show Sources

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences: “Review of Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Medicines.”

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research: “A Review of Hemp As Food and Nutritional Supplement.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Programs Address High Blood Cholesterol.”

EuropeanJournal of Lipid Science and Technology: “Physiochemical studies of hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil using enzyme-assisted cold-pressing.”

Journal of the American College of Cardiology: “Intensive cholesterol reduction lowers blood pressure and large artery stiffness in isolated systolic hypertension.”

Journal of Dermatological Treatment: “Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis.”

Journal of Hypertension: “Reduction of blood pressure and plasma triglycerides by omega-3 fatty acids in treated hypertensives.”

Journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional and Medical Foods: “The Composition of Hemp Seed Oil and Its Potential as an Important Source of Nutrition.”

Molecules: “Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) as an Emerging Source for Value-Added Functional Food Ingredients and Nutraceuticals.”

Nutrition and Metabolism: “The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed.”

Pharmacognosy Review: “Plants used to treat skin diseases.”

Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology: “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy.”

Science News: “Before an operation, low blood pressure rather than high is a risk factor for death.”

National Institues of Health: “The Problem with the Current High Potency THC Marijuana from the Perspective of an Addiction Psychiatrist

6 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds

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Hemp seeds are the seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa.

They are from the same species as cannabis (marijuana) but a different variety.

However, they contain only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Hemp seeds are exceptionally nutritious and rich in healthy fats, protein and various minerals.

Here are 6 health benefits of hemp seeds that are backed up by science.

Technically a nut, hemp seeds are very nutritious. They have a mild, nutty flavor and are often referred to as hemp hearts.

Hemp seeds contain over 30% fat. They are exceptionally rich in two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3).

They also contain gamma-linolenic acid, which has been linked to several health benefits (1).

Hemp seeds are a great protein source, as more than 25% of their total calories are from high-quality protein.

That is considerably more than similar foods like chia seeds and flaxseeds, whose calories are 16–18% protein.

Hemp seeds are also a great source of vitamin E and minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc (1, 2 ).

Hemp seeds can be consumed raw, cooked or roasted. Hemp seed oil is also very healthy and has been used as a food and medicine in China for at least 3,000 years (1).

Summary
Hemp seeds are rich in healthy fats and
essential fatty acids. They are also a great protein source and contain high
amounts of vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium,
iron and zinc.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide ( 3 ).

Interestingly, eating hemp seeds may reduce your risk of heart disease.

The seeds contain high amounts of the amino acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in your body ( 4 ).

Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that makes your blood vessels dilate and relax, leading to lowered blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease ( 5 ).

In a large study in over 13,000 people, increased arginine intake corresponded with decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker. High levels of CRP are linked to heart disease ( 6 , 7 ).

The gamma-linolenic acid found in hemp seeds has also been linked to reduced inflammation, which may decrease your risk of diseases like heart disease ( 8 , 9 ).

Additionally, animal studies have shown that hemp seeds or hemp seed oil may reduce blood pressure, decrease the risk of blood clot formation and help the heart recover after a heart attack ( 10 , 11 , 12 ).

Summary
Hemp seeds are a great source of arginine and
gamma-linolenic acid, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart
disease.

Fatty acids may affect immune responses in your body ( 13 , 14 , 15 ).

Studies suggest that your immune system depends on the balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Hemp seeds are a good source of polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids. They have about a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which is considered in the optimal range.

Studies have shown that giving hemp seed oil to people with eczema may improve blood levels of essential fatty acids.

The oil may also relieve dry skin, improve itchiness and reduce the need for skin medication ( 16 , 17 ).

Summary
Hemp seeds are rich in healthy fats. They
have a 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, which may benefit skin diseases and
provide relief from eczema and its uncomfortable symptoms.

Hemp Oil Benefits and Uses for Skin, Hair and More

Some people are exclaiming that we are in middle of a cannabis revolution in the U.S. And that does seem to be true, with the popularity of cbd oil and CBD products growing and becoming much more widespread across the country. But long before the legality of certain cannabis products, hemp seeds and hemp oil have been available in your local health food store.

Yes, hemp seed oil comes from the cannabis plant. But it can be used knowing that it contains trace amounts of THC. In fact, hemp seed oil serves as an excellent source of nutrients and has been used internally and topically in Eastern cultures for hundreds of years.

Curious about the possible hemp oil benefits? You need to remember three important words: essential fatty acids. Hempseed oil is packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can help foster overall health. Some ways to use it is to add just a tablespoon or two to your meals or apply it topically to your skin or even your hair — prior to shampooing.

What Is Hemp Oil?

Hemp oil is harvested by cold-pressing hemp seeds. Although it comes from the cannabis plant, hemp oil (also called hempseed oil) contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive, intoxicating element in cannabis.

Hemp and marijuana both come from the Cannabis sativa species, but the amount of THC present in the plant is what makes them different. When it contains less than 0.3 percent THC, it’s considered hemp. And when it has more THC, it’s considered marijuana. This means that you can use hemp oil and eat hemp seeds without feeling “high” afterwards.

So what’s so special about hemp oil? It serves as a natural source of important nutrients, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (including omega-6s and omega-3s), terpenes and proteins. It does not contain THC or CBD, so the main appeal of hemp oil is its fatty acid profile and other beneficial nutrients.

There’s confusion about the compounds in hemp oil for good reason. Some products labeled as “hemp oil” do actually include cannabinoids like CBD. These kind of superfoods with cannabinoids also act on receptors of the endocannabinoid system.

But if you are focused on increasing your intake of healthy fats and more, you’re likely looking for oils extracted from hemp seeds, so go for products labeled as “hempseed oil.”

Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil

Hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the cannabis plant, and it contains little to no THC or CBD. But you may have seen “CBD hemp oil” on the market and aren’t sure about the difference.

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is created by extracting CBD from the cannabis or hemp plant and then diluting it with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or even hemp seed oil. Most CBD oil products come from industrial hemp, which can only have trace amounts of THC. These products are gaining popularity for its purported CBD benefits and because it doesn’t cause a “high,” as it doesn’t affect the same receptors as the psychoactive agent THC.

Meanwhile, unlike both hemp oil and cbd oil, cannabis oil contains THC and is psychoactive and/or intoxicating.

Uses

1. Skin

Hempseed oil is commonly used on skin because it works as a natural moisturizer, and nourishes the skin. You’ll see it as an ingredient in many cosmetic products, lotions and soaps. It is also an antioxidant and may benefit the skin when used internally and topically.

Researchers found that dietary hemp oil increased levels of both essential fatty acids, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid and GLA. Skin dryness improved, and it’s believed that this positive change resulted from an abundant supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids provided by hemp oil ingestion.

2. Hair

If your hair is dry and brittle, try applying a small amount of hemp oil while conditioning your hair or after showering — or even as a deep conditioner prior to shampooing. The fatty acids in hempseed can help to moisturize your hair and scalp, adding to your own natural oils. This is exactly why fatty acids are often used in hair shampoos and conditioners and serums. The omega-3s in hemp oil will also help to add shine, tame unruly hair and give it strength.

3. Provides Chlorophyll

Believe it or not, hemp oil is also a source of chlorophyll, a substance in plants that allow them to make food from carbon dioxide and water. This plant pigment has been linked to certain benefits and is a great (and often little-known) aspect of hemp oil.

4. Features Essential Amino Acids

Hemp oil features all nine of the essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on their own. Your body needs all amino acids to function properly and consuming foods high in essential amino acids can help the body to function as it is designed to.

Eating foods high in amino acids, like hempseed oil, is a plus when it comes to overall health!

Where to Buy and How to Use

Hemp seed oil can be found all across the U.S. Hemp oil products come from the Cannabis sativa plant. Pure hemp seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant, but you can also find products that are made with hemp extract, which comes from the entire plant including its stem and leaves. It’s also common for hemp seed oil products to contain medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil or vegetable glycerine.

There are many hemp oil products on the market today and knowing what exactly is in the oil can be confusing. Some oils do contain CBD because hemp extract is used in the product, while others contain none. But hemp oil should never contain THC, as it’s not categorized as “hemp” unless the THC levels are under 0.3 percent.

If you’re looking to purchase an oil that contains little or no CBD or THC, then look for “hempseed oil” and read the label carefully. You can find pure hemp seed oil for internal and topical use, or as soft-gel capsules.

Ingesting one to two tablespoons of hempseed oil can help to increase your intake of essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Hemp oil can be added to smoothies and many recipes, as it has a pleasant nutty flavor. Hempseed oil should not be heated above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so instead of using it for cooking, it can added to salads, dips, spreads and veggie dishes as a flavor enhancer.

If you are looking for oil that contains CBD, then opt for products that are labeled as “hemp oil,” “CBD hemp oil” or “hemp extract.” Again, read the label carefully and always start with a smaller dose to determine how your body reacts to the product. (And, of course, consult your healthcare professional prior to use.)

Risks and Side Effects

With so many hemp products on the market today, knowing exactly what you’re getting can be confusing. If you are looking to increase your intake of essential fatty acids or for your skin or hair, then hempseed oil is a great choice.

Hemp seed oil can be added to food or applied directly to the skin and hair. Keep in mind that hemp seed oil has a smoke point of 330 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that it will oxidize when used at high temperatures for cooking. That’s why it’s best to use hemp oil to add flavor (and nutrients) to your favorite recipes.

The recommended daily dose of hempseed oil is typically about 1–2 tablespoons per day. If you plan to ingest more than that, consult your healthcare provider beforehand. And if you are on anticoagulant medications or other medications, be sure to check with your healthcare provider to be sure that it’s safe to use hempseed oil.

Final Thoughts

• Hemp oil is harvested by cold-pressing hemp seeds.
• Hempseed oil has an impressive nutrient profile. It is high in essential fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids and terpenes.
• The top uses include for:
  • Skin
  • Hair
  • Its chlorophyll
  • Its essential amino acids

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