Hemp Seed Oil and Flaxseed oil are both well-known for their profile of omegas, essential amino acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenes. Hemp Seed Oil and Flaxseed oil are very closely matched in terms of phytonutrient profile and are a popular choice for kitchen cupboards everywhere.

That being said, there are important differences between the two.

Here’s a breakdown of hemp seed oil vs flaxseed oil, with a handy table for comparison at the end.

What is hemp seed oil and what does it do?

Hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. Unlike its cousin, Cannabis, it contains no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical compound that causes psychoactive effects. Instead of THC, hemp contains vast amounts of cannabidiol (CBD), a compound widely known to many.

What is flaxseed oil and what does it do? 

Grown since the beginning of civilization, flax is one of the oldest crops known to man, similar to hemp. Flaxseed oil or linseed oil comes from the flax plant which grows over 2 feet tall. Whole flaxseeds, milled flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil are all sources of flaxseed, but the best source is flaxseed oil. The nutty-tasting seed is cold-pressed to release the natural oils within. Flaxseed was commonly found in bread or cereals but has become increasingly more popular in the health food sector.  People are now using plant seed or plant oil as a supplement or ingredient to their meals.

As a source of omega-3, flaxseed proves as an important source of fatty acids particularly for vegans and vegetarians. To be considered an omega-3 source, any substance should contain at least 0.3g alpha-linolenic acid per 100g/100kcal, or at least 40mg of the sum of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid per 100g/100kcals.

Differences between hemp oil and flaxseed oil?

When we talk about hemp seed oil vs flaxseed oil, we, of course, have to look at the differences:

• Omega-3 Content: Both hemp oil and flaxseed oil contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which comes in the form of Alpha-Linolenic Acid that is part of the polyunsaturated fat family. Flaxseed oil is a great source of these fats – containing 7.2 grams per serving. Hemp has a much lower omega-3 content; however, it is still a good source of fatty acids, but flaxseed comes out the superior.
• Fat Compensation: Flaxseed oil is made up of 18% monounsaturated fats. It also contains 75% polyunsaturated fats – the remaining 7% is comprised of saturated fats. Hemp has about the same composition, except contains a higher content of saturated fat that is 10% and its monounsaturated fat is only 15%.
• Protein Content: The good news is both oils contain all 9 essential amino acids making them a complete protein. Your body cannot manufacture these amino acids on its own, so they must come from somewhere. With all that being said, hemp oil contains twice as much protein as flaxseed oils do, and comparatively speaking, it’s around 3 grams per tablespoon for hemp whereas flaxseeds only have 1.9 grams per tablespoon.
• Fibre content: On the fibre scale, flaxseed oil comes out on top here. Flaxseed oil contains nearly 3 times more fibre than hemp.
• Smoke Points: Hemp oil has a medium smoke point, whereas flaxseed oil should not be heated at all! Flaxseed oil is much too fragile to be used for cooking and should be refrigerated. Check out some of our blogs and recipes about cooking with hemp oil,

Hemp Seed Oil vs Flaxseed Oil

Here is the handy comparison table of hemp seed oil vs flaxseed oil. This will prove as a handy, accessible, and understandable table to compare the two.

Both hemp seed oil and flaxseed oil are wonderful sources of nutrition. It is possible to add both to your normal dietary routine. To make it easier to consume both oils, try our Omega Super-Oil which is a 50/50 blend of NZ extra virgin hemp seed oil & NZ extra virgin flaxseed oil.

Use Omega Super-Oil drizzled on top of cereal, yogurt, and salads, or add into smoothies & baked goods.