Your browser does not support JavaScript! before use docindia please enable Javascript on your browser

Poppy Seeds: What Effect Does it Have On Our Health?

Poppy Seeds: What Effect Does it Have On Our Health?
April 12, 2024

Poppy seeds derived from poppy plants are not only delicious to have but also come with a number of health benefits. Poppy seeds possess exclusive medicinal properties that are extremely beneficial for treating various chronic diseases like asthma, headache, cough, and the common cold, diarrhea, and insomnia. These seeds are also useful for controlling bowel movement through your gastrointestinal tract and thus can help to get rid of constipation.

All You Need To Know About Poppy Seeds:

Poppy seeds, scientifically known as (Papaver smoniferum) are found in small, round, and bluish, black, or light to dark gray forms and can be of different shades- from white to yellow and black. The color of poppy seeds usually varies primarily due to the varied methods of cultivation and ways of processing. Poppy seeds are mainly derived from poppy flowers. These are found mainly in Mediterranean regions and also in tropical countries. Poppy seeds have been used as a key ingredient for manufacturing medicines in a traditional way since ancient times. Poppy seeds are also used in various food items, for instance for baking cakes, pastries, filling, glaze, or porridge. Extracts from poppy seeds like poppy seed oil are also used to make soap, paint, and varnish.

Nutritional Contents In Poppy Seeds:

Around 1 tablespoon or 9 grams of fresh poppy seeds contain the following nutrients:(1)

  • Calories: 46
  • Fiber: 1.7 grams
  • Protein: 1.6 grams
  • Fat: 3.7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 2.5 grams
  • Manganese: 26% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Copper: 16% of the DV
  • Calcium: 10% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 7% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 6% of the DV
  • Zinc: 6% of the DV
  • Thiamine: 6% of the DV
  • Iron: 5% of the DV

The Crucial Health Effects In Poppy Seeds:

1. Consists Of Pain- Relieving Materials

The poppy seeds, derived from poppy plants contain organic compounds and chemical substances like morphine, codeine, thebaine, and other alkaloids that are found in opium. These components in poppy seeds and opium contain properties that are helpful for treating various ailments like relieving chronic pain, calming down, and inducing sleepiness. These organic chemical components are found in the poppy latex, which is a milky white liquid present within the poppy pod. These alkaloid opium compounds are not found in poppies naturally but may become contaminated with them while they are harvested or may be due to poppy damages caused by various pests and insects. But poppy seeds are usually cleaned and purified well enough to get rid of any opium alkaloids or such related components before they reach the market. In fact, the manufacturers often take care that the poppy seeds are not contaminated by any chance with these opium alkaloids.

But sometimes it has been found that people often buy unwashed poppy seeds that usually contain extreme amounts of opium alkaloids or other related organic chemical substances that can be a natural and organic alternative to various pharmaceutical drugs (2).

But experts suggest that poppy seeds that contain high levels of opium alkaloids or those seeds that are sold unwashed, can lead to severe threats and lethal risks to your health conditions, which can pose danger to your overall body and can even cause premature death. If you are trying to consume such products it is always advisable to seek suggestions from your experienced medicinal caregiver.

2. Keeps Your Heart And Skin Healthy

Poppyseeds or their extracts like poppy oil can genuinely improve your skin and heart health because they contain high amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids which are significantly known to be effective for your skin and heart.

Recent experiments show that high consumption of foods that contain richer amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, a type found in poppy seeds can significantly lower the chances of developing several heart-related diseases like heart attacks, heart failure, cardiac arrests, stroke, and many such cardiovascular disorders by a notable level of around 17%. It is essential to know that high consumption of nutrients through your regular diet like omega-6 to omega-3 should have a proper balance and any disturbance in this ratio may increase the chances of developing several inflammatory diseases in your body. So, it will be certainly good for your body if you can add richer amounts of unsaturated fatty acids to your regular diet. Experts often opine that it is highly preferable to avoid increased consumption of food substances that are rich in components like omega-6 rich oils in your regular diet, including the oil derived from poppy seeds. Moreover, some experts say those poppy seeds and their extract, particularly the oil of poppy seeds contain fats that are known to treat several ailments like healing cuts and wounds, as well as prevent scaly lesions when applied directly to the skin.

3. Contains High Amount Of Antioxidants

Poppy seeds and their extracts like poppy seed oil contain a high number of essential antioxidants like polyphenols.

Consumption of such dietary antioxidants through your regular diet can significantly help to improve your overall heart health and will also ensure to lower the chances of developing chronic heart disorders like heart strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, or cardiac arrest.

Some Other Health Benefits:

Apart from these, poppy seeds offer various other health benefits. Some of those are listed below:

  • Improves digestive system: Poppy seeds help to maintain proper bowel movement through your gastro- intestinal tract and thus can help to get rid of constipation. Therich fiber content in poppy seeds is responsible for the easy bowel movement and for the maintenance of proper gut health.
  • Prevents chronic disorders and ailments: Poppy seed extract are rich in essential antioxidants that are known to prevent cellular damage and to check the oxidative function caused by variousdisease-causing free radicals and thus helps to protect your body from several illnesses.
  • Help to regulate fertility: Recent studies reveal that poppy seeds contain health extracts that help to improve the functional ability of fallopian tubes that can further improve fertility.

Some Health Risks with Poppy Seeds:

Though poppy seeds are considered safe and are known to contain a significant amount of nutrients that are beneficial for our overall health, they can often pose serious threats to people when consumed in higher proportions. Some of the potential health risks caused by poppy seeds and their extracts are listed below:

Often claimed as a sleep aid

Poppy contains latex that is known to be filled or contaminated with high amounts of opium or related organic compounds that contain properties that can induce sleepiness among individuals if consumed in higher doses. This might an insomnia remedy but can pose severe life threats by causing strong chemical addictions and can also lead to the untimely death of an individual if consumed regularly in high proportions.

Drug tests

Consumption of excessive amounts of poppy seeds or their extracts regularly can often lead to positive drug tests. When a person consumes rich amounts of opium alkaloids or similar classes of chemicals from poppy seeds, then compounds like codeine and morphine may be found in the person’s urine for up to 48 hours (about 2 days) after the consumption of poppy seeds and opium. (3)

Side effects and health risks:

Poppy seeds, poppy seed teas, and poppy-containing products that are unwashed or that are contaminated with opium alkaloids are natural pain relievers or help to induce sleepiness but they often contain compounds that lead to strong opium addiction and can also result in sudden untimely death if consumed in high doses for a longer period of time. Moreover, some may often experience redness, itchiness, or pain, after consumption of poppy seeds. So it is always advisable to either limit or avoids the consumption of poppy seeds and seek some health suggestions from a registered medical practitioner.

What is the reason behind cultural competencies in dietetics?
Having a healthy and balanced diet is highly crucial for your overall wellness and staying healthy. Thus, having foods that are rich in enough nutrients is highly important. But one must also remember
7 Tips to Improve Your Immunity System
The immune system is the body’s defense system against infection. Its intricate network of cells, organs, proteins, and tissues allows it to defend the body against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and o
Walnuts: Help to Improve Sperm Quality in Healthy Men
For thousands of years, walnuts have been a popular food. People in ancient Rome referred to them as Juglans regia, which means “Jupiter’s royal acorn.” Walnuts were first cultivated in Persia and th
Yogurt: Improve Your Immune System With It?
Yogurt is a very popular dairy product that is consumed by billions of people worldwide. Although it is made from milk, yogurt is low in fat and high in protein. It contains many beneficial nutrients.
Is it Ok to Eat Raw Eggs?
Eggs are known as powerhouses of essential nutrients like protein, essential vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and some minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and many others. Eggs provide a lot o
How to Increase Hemoglobin Levels Without Any Medicine?
Haemoglobin is an essential protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Low hemoglobin levels can lead to anemia, which can cause fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale s
Protein: Need, Source, and Benefits
We all know that protein comprises a major portion of our health and body. It is one of the most essential nutritional elements that one requires for proper growth, development, and to keep the body h
9 Reasons Why You Don’t Need to Avoid Healthy Carbs?
In recent years, low-carb diets have gained popularity, leading to a widespread fear of carbohydrates. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy carbs and recognize the numero
A Heart-Healthy Diet Doesn’t Have To Be Low In Fat
The truth is that eating more whole or less processed plant-based meals will automatically reduce your fat intake, particularly saturated fat. Saturated fat, which is mostly found in meat and dairy pr
Bean Sprouts: Nutrition and Benefits of Eating
Sprouting is a very natural phenomenon in which the germination of seeds, grains, and vegetables takes place. In simpler words, sprouts are considered very young plants. These plants are harvested jus