Poppy seeds Benefits and Side Effects

• Each plant of a poppy seed contains around 10,000 to 60,000 seeds.

• Poppies were welcomed even after knowing that they were weeds found on agricultural land because they ensure the fertility of the soil.

• On the back of Canadian $ 20 notes, the poppy flowers are featured.

• Singapore has classified poppy seeds under prohibited goods for people traveling between countries on planes because they contain opium alkaloids, which if ingested, are capable enough to make one fail a drug test.

Poppy seeds provide only 525 calories in a 100 gram serving. They contain essential minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus, Manganese, Magnesium, Zinc, and Iron, along with considerable quantities of thiamin and folate. The seeds also contain linoleic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid essential for a healthy heart. Poppy seeds contain 42% fat, 28% carbohydrates, 21% protein and 6% water.

As per the USDA Nutrient Database, 100 g of poppy seeds contain the following values:

Poppy seeds are not just another condiment in your kitchen; they are loaded with biologically active compounds that not only help prevent and relieve common health conditions but also promote overall well- being. Let us explore what all benefits these tiny seeds provide for our health. 

• Promotes sleep: Poppy seeds are one of the best remedies for reducing sleep problems. It has also been found to be helpful in improving the quality of sleep by inducing calmness and reducing stress.
• Relieves constipation: Being a rich source of fibre, poppy seeds help provide bulk to stools so they can easily pass through your intestines. It also increases the frequency of stools thereby relieving constipation.
• Increases female fertility: Studies indicate that flushing the fallopian tubes with poppy seed oil helps in removing the debris and blockages from it, which are one of the major causes of infertility in females. It also improves libido and overall sexual health.  
• Helps improve vision: Poppy seeds are a good source of zinc, which is known to improve vision and reduce macular degeneration of eyes. The antioxidants present in these seeds further aid in reducing the risk of age-related vision loss by reducing oxidative stress on eye cells.

Apart from the abovementioned benefits, poppy seeds are also known to help in improving immunity and reducing mouth ulcers, though there is no confirmatory evidence for either of these benefits.

• Poppy seeds for a drug test
  Poppy seeds can trigger a positive reading for opiate morphine which is considered as a drug. Consumption of poppy seeds, even if in small quantities like a slice of poppy seed cake or a bagel with poppy seed topping, are more than enough for you to fail a dope test as it red flags even a non-drug-user.

• Consumption of poppy seeds in excess can be extremely dangerous and toxic
  If a case is to be believed, poppy seeds can cause bowel obstruction and increase morphine levels in the blood which may even cause death. However, such cases have not got too much recognition and there remains a doubt whether poppy seeds are toxic or not. An overdose of poppy seeds must be avoided

• Poisoning by Morphine
  The poppy plant contains a lot of alkaloids like morphine, codeine, papaverine, thebaine, narcotine, narcotoline and narceine. A study shows that an overdose of poppy seeds can lead to a poisoning which is very similar to a drug overdose.

• For allergic individuals
  Some people may be naturally allergic to poppy seeds. People who are allergic to nuts should also be cautious before consuming poppy seeds.

Poppy seeds are harvested in large quantities every year majorly. Its aromatic oils and nutty flavour is considered a delicacy in many cuisines. The various components of poppy seeds are believed to cure different health diseases like heart diseases, digestive disorders and much more. Despite the various benefits provided by the poppy seeds to the human body, the high morphine content in poppy seeds make it infamous and has resulted in a ban on the product in various countries like Singapore, Taiwan, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The travellers of the United Arab Emirates are prohibited to carry poppy seeds along with them, and the rules are so strict that their violation can lead them to imprisonment. Also, the morphine content present in them may cause severe health diseases if overdosed. So, keep a check on the limit of its consumption as prevention is better than cure!