Poppy seeds health benefits

Whether enjoyed in a lemon muffin or used as a topping on your latest batch of bread, poppy seeds are a popular ingredient in many of our favourite recipes. With a mild, nutty flavour and a satisfying crunchiness, it’s easy to see why we often include these tiny seeds into our cooking and baking. But are there any health benefits of poppy seeds, and is it worth adding them to your shopping list? We’ve got everything you need to know below.

It’s probably not very surprising that poppy seeds come from the poppy plant (the clue is in the name, after all). We typically use opium poppy seeds (papaver somniferum) in our cooking and baking. However, the plant is grown for its ornamental beauty too. Opium poppies are native to Greece and Asia. They are an ancient spice that was used for both culinary and medicinal purposes¹.

There are plenty of reported poppy seed health benefits. One tablespoon of poppy seeds typically includes:

Whether you sprinkle yours on a salad or add a bit of crunch to your morning bagel, poppy seeds could be a healthy addition to your diet. Some health benefits might include:

Poppies are quite a notorious plant. The sap of the opium poppy plant is where opiates, like heroin, codeine, and morphine, come from⁴. While poppy seeds themselves don’t have the same psychotropic effect, they may absorb or get coated in the opium extract. The majority of commercially produced poppy seeds are washed and processed to remove this coating, so they are generally safe to eat.

Poppy seeds are a versatile ingredient, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy these crunchy little seeds. Some people simply eat a spoonful of poppy seeds, while others add them to their favourite recipes or meals. Some ways you could use poppy seeds include: