What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Poppy Seeds Regularly

2. They Support Heart Health

Poppy seeds contain 3.66 grams (g) of healthy fat per tablespoon. Poppy seed oil can be a particularly good source of omega-6 and omega-9 fats.

Omega-6 fats may be less well known than omega-3’s, but they can also have important health benefits. They help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (“good” cholesterol) and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (“bad” cholesterol). They may also help regulate blood sugar levels.

Some initial research suggests that omega-9 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, as well as support heart health.

3. Your Fiber Intake Is Increased

A tablespoon of poppy seeds supplies about 1.7 g of fiber. It’s not a big percentage of the RDA, which ranges from about 25 to 40 grams depending on sex and age, but it can still help. Fiber aids digestion and helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels.

If you eat whole-grain bread with poppy seeds or sprinkle them on yogurt and fruit regularly, you can boost your fiber intake.

4. They Prevent Cell Damage

Poppy seeds contain antioxidant compounds that help protect cells from damage from free radicals (highly reactive molecules that can damage cells). These include phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, which may be anti-inflammatory, help prevent cancer, and help regulate enzymes.

They are high in vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), an antioxidant that can boost the immune system and help prevent blood clots that could lead to a heart attack.

They also contain gamma-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E that early studies suggest may have benefits, perhaps in combination with omega-3 fatty acids, in preventing or treating kidney disease, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and some cancers.

5. You Have the Possible Risk of Ingesting Opioids or Testing Positive for Codeine

Opium, the powerful and addictive narcotic, doesn’t occur naturally in poppy seeds but rather in the sticky substance, latex, found in the pods that surround the seeds. Some of the opium can rub off on the seeds during pest control application or harvesting. Poppy seeds that have been washed before packaging will not contain enough opium, if any, to have an effect.

Poppy seed tea, however, made with unwashed poppy seeds, is illegal and can be extremely dangerous, because it can lead to opioid poisoning or addiction. People have died from drinking opium-tainted poppy seed tea.

Eating poppy seeds can result in positive urine test results for opiates, including those that point towards codeine.

How to Get the Most Out of Poppy Seeds

Raw, washed poppy seeds contain more nutrients than microwaved or toasted poppy seeds. The heat can cause them to lose some vitamin E (tocopherol), antioxidants, and healthy fats. The same was found for poppy seed oil.

If you are considering eating poppy seeds regularly to boost your nutrition, you can sprinkle washed, raw poppy seeds on your food in addition to eating foods made with them. Make sure you do not use unwashed poppy seeds, as they can contain illegal and unsafe opioids.