Hemp Seeds (Cannabis sativa L.) in Cattle Nutrition: Effects on Beef Fatty Acid, Vitamin, and Mineral Profiles.

Pogorzelska-Przybyłek P.; Nogalski Z.; Purwin C. · Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2026

**Background & Methods** This review study evaluated the effects of dietary hemp seed supplementation on beef nutritional composition in 24 young Holstein-Friesian bulls. Animals were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups receiving concentrate feed supplemented with either 10% (HS-10) or 17% (HS-17) whole hemp seeds, with analysis of fatty acid profiles and micronutrient content in muscle tissue samples (longissimus lumborum and semimembranosus muscles). **Key Findings** • Dietary hemp seed supplementation increased muscle concentrations of zinc, magnesium, iron, retinol (vitamin A), and α-tocopherol (vitamin E), with improved micronutrient bioavailability in beef tissue compared to control group. • Hemp seeds modified the fatty acid profile by decreasing saturated fatty acid (SFA) proportions while increasing unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content and the polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio (PUFA/SFA), potentially improving the nutritional quality of beef for consumers. • The 10% hemp seed inclusion level demonstrated optimal improvements in nutritional parameters, with no additional benefit observed at the higher 17% inclusion rate, suggesting a plateau effect at the lower supplementation level. **Dosage & Administration** Whole hemp seeds were administered as dietary concentrate supplementation at 10% or 17% of the total feed composition in cattle. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. The study focused on nutritional outcomes and did not document adverse effects or toxicity concerns related to hemp seed supplementation in cattle. **Evidence Quality** This is a descriptive review article examining a single experimental cohort with a relatively small sample size (n=24 across three groups). While the study provides valuable agricultural and nutritional data, it lacks comparison to established literature benchmarks and does not represent the highest level of evidence (randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses). The findings are specific to beef cattle nutrition and should not be extrapolated to other species or applications without additional validation. The absence of long-chain omega-3 PUFA enhancement limits the claimed health-promoting benefits. Further research with larger populations and longer-term assessment would strengthen evidence quality.

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