Which hemp oil is best?
Of all the plant oils to add to your diet, hemp oil is one of the most nutritious. Pressed from the seeds of the versatile hemp plant, hemp oil contains many essential vitamins and minerals, not to mention healthy fatty acids, such as omega-9, omega-6 and omega-3.
Consumers everywhere are adding hemp oil to their salads and smoothies or taking it in capsule form. Finding the right hemp oil for you might involve a bit of research, but our top pick is Nutiva Organic Hemp Seed Oil because it’s cold-pressed, vegan and USDA-certified organic.
What to know before you buy hemp oil
Bottles vs. capsules
Hemp oil is available in capsule form or in bottles like olive oil or sesame oil. If you’re interested in taking hemp oil every day, like you would a multivitamin, then capsules are a great choice for convenience and zero mess. Hemp oil in liquid form comes in bottles and has a light, nutty flavor that’s tasty when drizzled on salads or pasta.
Omega fatty acids
While hemp oil is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, it’s particularly well known for its fatty acid content. Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 are fundamental to maintaining healthy body function, and hemp oil is full of all three. The human body can’t produce them on its own, so ingesting hemp oil is the best way to incorporate these crucial acids into your regular diet.
Cosmetic benefits
You may find liquid hemp oil added to certain skin and hair products for its cosmetic benefits. When used in skin products, the fatty acids can soothe skin irritation, while the naturally moisturizing oil used in conditioners can make your hair soft and shiny. If you’re a fan of oil cleansing, you can use natural hemp seed oil to clear out your pores and improve your complexion. Some users even report that rubbing hemp oil into the skin helps with pain reduction.
Hemp oil vs. CBD oil
Hemp oil, CBD oil and marijuana all come from the cannabis plant, but hemp oil and CBD oil contain only trace amounts of the psychoactive compound THC. This means that, unlike marijuana, CBD oil and hemp oil don’t cause a high. CBD oil is derived from the flowers, leaves and stalks of the cannabis plant, while hemp oil is extracted from the plant’s seeds alone. CBD is known for its many medical uses, such as pain relief and epilepsy treatment, but hemp oil is a nutritious plant oil.
What to look for in quality hemp oil
Cold-pressed
Many hemp oils are cold-pressed. This means the oil was extracted from the hemp seeds with no exposure to heat, retaining all of its natural nutritional benefits.
Organic
As with most food products, organic hemp oil will be of superior quality. Organic plants grow without the aid of things like pesticides, which can negatively affect your health. If it’s a USDA-certified organic oil, even better.
Vegan/vegetarian
There are plenty of hemp oils that are vegan or vegetarian, meaning they contain no animal byproducts and weren’t tested on animals. While most hemp oils are naturally plant-based, be careful with capsules. These may contain gelatin, which is an animal byproduct.
Unrefined
Similar to cold-pressed oil, unrefined hemp oil has undergone very little processing and is the closest to its natural, most nutritional state. Unrefined hemp oil might also be referred to as virgin, pure or raw hemp oil.
How much you can expect to spend on hemp oil
Hemp oil is relatively affordable. Expect to pay $10-$40 for a container of hemp oil capsules and $5-$10 for an 8-ounce bottle of liquid hemp oil.
Hemp oil FAQ
Is hemp oil the same as marijuana?
A. While both hemp and marijuana are derived from the same species of plant in the cannabis family, hemp contains 0.3% or less THC, the chemical compound that gets people high. By comparison, most marijuana strains contain between 10% and 30% THC.
Can I cook with hemp oil?
A. Hemp oil has a relatively low burning point compared to most plant oils. Frying or sauteing with the oil causes it to burn or smoke quickly, destroying the nutritional benefits. Instead, try it as a salad dressing, add it to a sauce or pour some into a blender when making a smoothie.
How should I store hemp oil?
A. Store hemp oil in your refrigerator to prevent oxidation. Assuming you keep it in a cold, low-light environment, an open hemp oil bottle can last up to six months.
What’s the best hemp oil to buy?
Top hemp oil
What you need to know: This high-end hemp oil is USDA-certified organic and GMO-free. It also has loads of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids in each tablespoon.
What you’ll love: This oil is vegan, unrefined and cold-pressed.
What you should consider: Some users don’t enjoy the taste.
Top hemp oil for the money
What you need to know: This unrefined hemp oil delivers 8 grams of Omega-6 per serving.
What you’ll love: This hemp seed oil is 100% cold-pressed, cold-filtered and budget-friendly.
What you should consider: Some find the flavor overpowering, and this oil doesn’t appear to be organic.
Worth checking out
Deva Nutrition Vegan Hemp Oil Capsules
What you need to know: This cold-pressed, unrefined hemp oil is available in capsule form, perfect for users seeking convenience and less mess.
What you’ll love: These hemp oil capsules are vegan. If you ingest one capsule twice a day, this 90-capsule bottle will last 45 days.
What you should consider: Some users have received fewer capsules in the bottle than advertised.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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