Hemp Seeds: Health Benefits, Safety, and What To Consider When Picking a Product

Latest Update

Hemp Seed Warnings?

Written by Meredith Worthington, Ph.D. — Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated December 19, 2024 ⓘ

Whole hemp seeds and hemp hearts in small white bowls

Answer:

Hemp seeds are the seeds of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). They can be eaten with the shell intact (as "whole" hemp seed) or after the shell has been removed (i.e., as "hulled" hemp seeds or "hemp hearts"), which reduces their fiber content.

Hemp seeds are promoted for conditions including heart health, diabetes, boosting testosterone, improving body composition, premenstrual syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sign in as a member to find out if there is evidence supporting the use of hemp seeds for these conditions, as well as information about safety and potential contamination with heavy metals and THC, as well as what to consider when choosing and using hemp seed products.

Also see our Reviews that discuss hemp seed extract (in our CBD Review), hemp seed protein (in our Protein Powders Review, hemp seed oil (in our Seed Oils Review, and hemp milk (in our Plant-Based Milks Review).

+ — 14 sources

In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article: