• Vitamins & Supplements
  • Food & Drink
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Free From
  • Natural Beauty
  • Weight Management
  • Offers
  • Summer Shop
  • The Health Hub
  • Learn more Healthbox
  • Account
Track your order Delivery & Returns Help Centre My subscriptions

Customer Service

  • Contact us
  • Site map
  • Site map
  • Store locator

About us

  • Who are we
  • Working at Holland & Barrett
  • Press releases
  • Privacy & cookie policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Holland & Barrett More
  • Holland & Barrett International
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Modern Slavery Statement

Connect with us

Store
0370 606 6606
My account
Rewards
  • Sign in
  • How do I join?
  • What are the benefits?
  • FAQs
Holland & Barrett :: the good life
  • Menu
  • Account
  • Store
  • Basket
    Search for
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • Food & Drink
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Free From
    • Natural Beauty
    • Weight Management
    • Offers
    • The Health Hub
    • Healthbox

    Home / Food & Drink / Food / Poppy seeds health benefits

    Poppy seeds in a bowl and scattered onto a table.
    Poppy seeds in a bowl and scattered onto a table.

    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.

    What are poppy seeds?

    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 .

    The nutritional profile of poppy seeds

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

    • Calories: 46
    • Protein: 6g
    • Fat: 7g
    • Carbohydrates: 5g
    • Fibre: 7g

    You’ll also find a variety of nutrients, like manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, and iron2. 

    The health benefits of poppy seeds

    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:

    • Supports normal bone health
    • Better digestion
    • Supports heart health
    • Skin hydration3

    However, it’s worth bearing in mind that research is still limited. If you notice any unwanted side effects, stop eating or using poppy seeds straight away.

    Who should avoid poppy seeds

    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.

    However, even washed poppy seeds might produce a positive result on a drug test (even though you are unlikely to experience any symptoms). It’s worth avoiding anything with poppy seeds if you do have a drug test coming up5.

    It’s also essential to avoid unwashed or unprocessed poppy seeds or poppy seed tea. These are not regulated, and it is challenging to know how much opium extract is included in the product. There have been fatalities and overdoses associated with using unwashed poppy seeds6.

    If you are concerned but still want to enjoy the reported health benefits, you could try incorporating different seeds in your diet. Sesame seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax seeds are all great alternatives7.

    How to prepare poppy seeds

    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:

    • In smoothies
    • In soups and stews
    • Sprinkled on salads
    • Topped on bagels or other breakfasts
    • In baking

    Whichever way you use poppy seeds, their delicious flavour and reported health benefits mean they are a great addition to your meal planning.

    Shop Seeds

    Last Updated: 22nd January 2021

    bhupesh-panchal2

    Author: Bhupesh Panchal, Regulatory Affairs

    • Joined Holland & Barrett: April 2019
    • Qualifications: Masters Degree in Toxicology, BSc Hons in Medical Biochemistry

    Bhupesh started his career as a clinical toxicologist for Public Health England, advising healthcare professionals all around the country on how to manage clinical cases of adverse exposure to supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial chemicals and agricultural products. After 7 years in this role and a further year working as a drug safety officer in the pharmaceutical industry, Bhupesh joined Holland & Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019.
    Bhupesh specialises in vitamins & minerals nutrition, health benefits & safety of botanicals and traditional herbal medicines. View Bhupesh’s LinkedIn profile.

    In his spare time, Bhupesh likes to cycle and has been learning to speak Korean for several years.

    Sources:
    1 https://www.britannica.com/topic/poppy-seed
    2 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/poppy-seeds-health-benefits
    3 https://draxe.com/nutrition/poppy-seeds/
    4 https://defeatdiabetes.org/resources/healthful-eating/nuts-and-seeds/poppy-seed/
    5 https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-nutrition/poppy-seeds-drug-test
    6 https://www.verywellmind.com/the-dangers-of-poppy-seed-tea-3200919
    7 https://www.spiceography.com/poppy-seeds-substitute/

    Tweet
    Follow on Instagram
    Food Nutrition

    You may also like

    5 reasons to swap soy sauce for tamari

    Article

    5 reasons to swap soy sauce for tamari

    Tamari is an increasingly popular ingredient in the UK, but perhaps you’re not sure exactly..

    READ MORE...
    Your ultimate guide to tapioca flour + 8 top uses

    Article

    Your ultimate guide to tapioca flour + 8 top uses

    What is tapioca flour? Native to South America, tapioca flour is made by crushing a..

    READ MORE...
    Is egg the best source of protein?

    Article

    Is egg the best source of protein?

    Fitness fanatics love protein-rich diets for helping them to maintain muscle mass and give them..

    READ MORE...

    Connect with us

    • Log in Register
    • rewards for life

    Customer service

    • Store locator
    • Contact us
    • Site feedback
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Delivery & returns
    • Site map
    • My account

    About us

    • Who we are
    • Working at Holland & Barrett
    • Press room
    • Privacy & cookie policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Holland & Barrett More
    • Holland & Barrett International

    Brands

    • Holland & Barrett
    • Bootea
    • Dr Organic
    • Precision Engineered
    • Manuka Doctor
    • Good n Natural
    • Miaroma
    Register
    Click to verify if this website is operating legally

    Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2017. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.