Clinical Evidence: The Impact of Hemp Seed on Liver and Metabolic Health
Hemp seed doesn’t just fuel the body, it protects it. Clinical research shows it restores liver health, balances metabolism, and reduces internal inflammation at the source.
Clinically Observed Benefits of Hemp Seed
Research shows that hemp seed reduces body weight gain, liver size, and liver-to-body weight ratio caused by a high-fat diet. It also visibly improves liver appearance, indicating protection against fat accumulation and inflammation.
Figure 1 — Mahajan et al., 2020 [1]:Reduced weight and liver size.
A. Body Weight Regulation
Hemp seed significantly reduced weight gain in animals fed a high-fat diet. The HEMP-only group maintained the lowest body weight overall.
B. Liver Weight Reduction
Liver weight increased under a high-fat diet but dropped with hemp supplementation. The most notable reduction was seen in the HEMP-only group.
C. Liver-to-Body Weight Ratio
A high-fat diet raised the liver-to-body weight ratio, signaling imbalance. Hemp normalized this ratio, especially in the HEMP and HFD+HEMP groups.
D. Liver Appearance
Livers in the HFD group appeared pale and swollen. Hemp-fed groups showed clearer, firmer liver structure, with near-complete restoration in the HFD+HEMP group.
Liver Enzymes & Cellular Liver Health
Hemp seed significantly lowered elevated liver enzymes (ALT, ALP, AST) caused by a high-fat diet, indicating reduced liver stress.
Microscopic analysis confirmed less fat buildup and clearer cellular structure in hemp-supplemented groups, showing strong protective and regenerative effects on liver tissue.
Figure 2 — Mahajan et al., 2020 [1]:Improved liver enzymes and structure.
A–C. Liver Enzyme Markers (ALT, ALP, AST)
In Figures 2A–C, the HFD group showed high levels of liver enzymes — ALT, ALP, and AST — indicating liver cell damage and inflammation. Hemp supplementation, especially in the HEMP-only and HFD+HEMP groups, significantly lowered these enzyme levels.
Interpretation: Hemp helps reduce biochemical markers of liver stress.
D–E. Liver Microscopy (20x and 40x magnification)
Microscopic images in Figures 2D and 2E offer a deeper look at liver tissue:
I) Control: Normal liver cells with clear structure
II) HFD: Extensive fat infiltration, damaged hepatocytes, distorted architecture
III) HEMP: Healthier cellular structure with reduced fat cells
IV) HFD/HEMP: Partial restoration
V) HFD+HEMP: Clear structural improvement, closer to healthy tissue
Interpretation: Hemp reduces cellular damage and fat buildup, promoting liver regeneration at the tissue level.
Reference
[1] Mahajan G, Chand K, Vig AP. Hemp seed ameliorates high fat diet–induced obesity and fatty liver in mice. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2020; 44(11): e13376. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32685737