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Hemp hearts vs flaxseed: nutrition compared

Per 30 g, hemp hearts have 9.5 g of protein and 1.2 g of fiber. Flaxseed has 5.5 g of protein and 8.2 g of fiber. All numbers are USDA averages for raw, dried seeds.

Per 30 g serving

NutrientHemp heartsFlaxseed
Energy and macros
Calories kcal166160
Protein g9.519% DV5.511% DV
Total fat g14.619% DV12.716% DV
Carbohydrate g2.61% DV8.73% DV
Fiber g1.24% DV8.229% DV
Sugars g0.450.47
Fats
Saturated fat g1.47% DV1.15% DV
Monounsaturated fat g1.62.3
Polyunsaturated fat g11.48.6
Omega-3 ALA g2.66.8
Omega-6 linoleic acid g8.31.8
Omega-6 GLA g0.4–
Minerals
Magnesium mg21050% DV11828% DV
Phosphorus mg49540% DV19315% DV
Iron mg2.413% DV1.710% DV
Zinc mg327% DV1.312% DV
Calcium mg212% DV76.56% DV
Potassium mg3608% DV2445% DV
Manganese mg2.399% DV0.7432% DV
Copper mg0.4853% DV0.3741% DV
Selenium µg–7.614% DV
Sodium mg1.50% DV90% DV
Vitamins
Thiamin (B1) mg0.3832% DV0.4941% DV
Niacin (B3) mg2.817% DV0.926% DV
Vitamin B6 mg0.1811% DV0.148% DV
Folate µg338% DV26.17% DV
Vitamin E mg0.242% DV0.091% DV

The main differences

  • Calories. Hemp hearts have more: 166 kcal in hemp hearts against 160 kcal in flaxseed.
  • Protein. Hemp hearts have more: 9.5 g in hemp hearts against 5.5 g in flaxseed.
  • Fiber. Flaxseed has more: 1.2 g in hemp hearts against 8.2 g in flaxseed.
  • Total fat. Hemp hearts have more: 14.6 g in hemp hearts against 12.7 g in flaxseed.
  • Omega-3 ALA. Flaxseed has more: 2.6 g in hemp hearts against 6.8 g in flaxseed.
  • Magnesium. Hemp hearts have more: 210 mg in hemp hearts against 118 mg in flaxseed.
  • Iron. Hemp hearts have more: 2.4 mg in hemp hearts against 1.7 mg in flaxseed.
  • Calcium. Flaxseed has more: 21 mg in hemp hearts against 76.5 mg in flaxseed.

Amounts are per 30 g. "Hemp hearts" are hulled hemp seeds: the hull is removed, which is why their fiber is low.

Per 100 g

NutrientHemp heartsFlaxseed
Energy and macros
Calories kcal553534
Protein g31.663% DV18.337% DV
Total fat g48.863% DV42.254% DV
Carbohydrate g8.73% DV28.911% DV
Fiber g414% DV27.398% DV
Sugars g1.51.6
Fats
Saturated fat g4.623% DV3.718% DV
Monounsaturated fat g5.47.5
Polyunsaturated fat g38.128.7
Omega-3 ALA g8.722.8
Omega-6 linoleic acid g27.55.9
Omega-6 GLA g1.3–
Minerals
Magnesium mg700167% DV39293% DV
Phosphorus mg1650132% DV64251% DV
Iron mg844% DV5.732% DV
Zinc mg9.990% DV4.339% DV
Calcium mg705% DV25520% DV
Potassium mg120026% DV81317% DV
Manganese mg7.6330% DV2.5108% DV
Copper mg1.6178% DV1.2136% DV
Selenium µg–25.446% DV
Sodium mg50% DV301% DV
Vitamins
Thiamin (B1) mg1.3107% DV1.6137% DV
Niacin (B3) mg9.257% DV3.119% DV
Vitamin B6 mg0.635% DV0.4728% DV
Folate µg11028% DV8722% DV
Vitamin E mg0.85% DV0.312% DV

Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (released April 2019). % DV uses FDA Daily Values. A brand's label can differ from these averages.

Sources

  1. USDA FoodData Central: Seeds, hemp seed, hulled (FDC 170148)
  2. USDA FoodData Central: Seeds, flaxseed (FDC 169414)
  3. FDA: Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels