With so many oil options available, it can be difficult to navigate which oils are best to use. While most oils have some health components, each oil offers different benefits and varying amounts of those benefits. To decipher which oil is best overall, gathering and comparing information of a variety of commonly used oils is helpful.

Hemp Seed Oil

Derived from the seeds of the hemp plant, hemp seed oil offers Vitamin E, essential fatty acids and can be used for a variety of food purposes. With a subtle, nutty flavor, the taste of hemp seed oil lends itself well to dressings and sauces. Hemp seed oil offers the highest amount of omega-3, and the most desirable ratio of LA (omega-6) to ALA (omega-3). Hemp seed oil should not be used for frying as it has a low smoke point, but can easily be used in several other instances. 

Not only does it offer great benefits to the body, but it is also a wonderful skin hydrator, has the ability to relieve severe dryness and is even helpful with aging skin. With a multitude of health benefits, hemp seed oil is extremely versatile and can be used for food, skin, animals and can even be used as a wood sealer.

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil, contains an abundance of omega-3 fatty acid. Used as an omega-3 supplement, flaxseed oil is a great option to increase one’s intake of omega-3. However, it does not offer the desired ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 as hemp seed oil does. 

Flaxseed oil is not the most desired oil flavor-wise, even at its freshest point. Given the high ALA content, flaxseed oil can quickly turn rancid. Due to its short shelf life and undesirable flavor, flaxseed oil is not the best option in terms of cooking, though it does provide a high content of omega-3.

Olive Oil

One of the most common cooking oils, olive oil boasts the ability to fight heart disease as well as lower blood pressure. When compared to hemp seed oil, olive oil contains 40% more saturated fat and an extremely low amount of omega-3 fatty acid. While hemp seed oil contains a desirable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 of 3:1, olive oil’s ratio is 10.7:1. 

Olive oil contains a low smoke point and should not be used for frying. It is a great option for sautéing or for making salad dressings; however, it does not contain as many benefits as hemp seed oil does.

Check out this chart from Oil Seeds Crop for an overview of several oils, including hemp seed oil, flaxseed oil and olive oil.

Given the benefits and drawbacks of each oil, there are different circumstances in which each oil is superior. However, the overall benefits of hemp seed oil make it the most versatile while offering the most health benefits. To gain the benefits of hemp seed oil, check out our selection of cold-pressed hemp seed oil.