8 shocking health benefits of poppy seeds

Discover the 8 shocking health benefits of poppy seeds.

The amount of plants or flowers that are cultivated worldwide is fascinating, which enjoy nutritional riches, with multiple healing and even medicinal properties, making their demand and cultivation more than necessary.

In this article, we will meet a component of one of these crops, the so-called poppy seeds, where we will learn about its healthy content and the benefits it provides.

What are poppy seeds?

Poppy seeds are obtained from the plant of the same name, whose scientific term has been “Papaver rhoeas”, which is an annual herbaceous, used in the area of medicine and perfumery.

Both poppy seeds and the plant itself are widely distributed worldwide, due to the large contribution of micronutrients that the body requires, these can be added to different diets, therefore the seeds are relevant in nutrition, it also has some grams of morphine codeine (used in medicine).

Note: As mentioned in a study “Other uses of Papaver rhoeas are animal feed, as a condiment, edible and different medicinal uses (for the respiratory system, digestive system, muscles, etc. )”.

Properties of poppy seeds

Are poppy seeds as incredible as they say? This is justified thanks to its numerous properties, which are found in abundance within them. These are the main and most important to know:

1. Vitamins and minerals

These seeds have a high mineral grade, where zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and even phosphorus stand out, remember that they are necessary for the growth and development of the organism.

Among the group of vitamins, we can find that it is divided into; vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C, which mainly act as an antioxidant (different thing in vitamins of group B), however, they have other benefits individually and of great importance.

Important: Relevant information mentions that “Vitamins are a group of organic nutrients necessary in small amounts for various biochemical functions that, in general, cannot be synthesized in the body and, consequently, must be found in the diet. “

2. Other components

Poppy seeds are also a source of other quite nutritious properties, among which we can find dietary or dietary fiber, certain unsaturated essential fatty acids, and proteins in approximately 18 grams, per 100 g of poppy seeds consumption.

These components cannot be discarded since they are essential for organs such as the intestine, to control the increase in bad cholesterol, the amount of sugar in the blood, and other energetic and healthy factors for the body, which will be studied below.

What are the benefits of poppy seeds?

Poppy seeds are rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients for various functions of the human body.

Getting to know the main properties, it is also important to know what benefits they can bring to the human body, especially in certain very relevant conditions. Therefore, we present the benefits of poppy seeds:

1. They promote cardiovascular health

Lack of care towards cardiovascular health can lead to quite dangerous heart conditions, involving the heart organ and other important means such as arteries, blood pressure, and proper blood flow.

It is known that the nutrients or components, which largely favor cardiovascular health, are vitamins with antioxidant characters (from A, E, and C) that also prevent the formation of free radicals, as does calcium, which has a cholesterol-lowering effect (cholesterol control), highlighting that all these elements are contained in poppy seeds.

Note: It is very important to know the following: “In the world, an acute myocardial infarction occurs every four seconds and a cerebral vascular event occurs every five seconds, and at least one in three people loses their life due to some pathology related to cardiovascular diseases. ”.

2. Boost the immune system

The immune system is the body’s best defense against viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms that lodge in the dermis or mucous walls, penetrating and expanding throughout our body.

You should know: To boost the immune system, the body requires a large portion of vitamins (antioxidants that are in the seeds), as well as zinc and iron, which prevent the degradation of tissues or cellular oxidation in general, avoiding the appearance of toxic organisms.

3. They improve digestive health

Intestinal transit is of utmost importance for our body, important organs such as the intestines and even the stomach are involved in it, which transform nutrients into energy for the body.

Therefore, being the organ that breaks down nutrients, a healthy diet is required, rich in various vitamins or minerals (including fatty acids among others) which are present in poppy seeds and also favor digestive health, expanding the mucous walls and providing fiber (which prevents constipation).

4. They strengthen the bones

Skeletal strengthening is essential for our body, thus even degrading conditions is prevented, such as osteoporosis, rickets, or bone cancer. 

Note: What mainly help the growth, strengthening, and development of bones, are minerals such as iron contained in poppy seeds, although there are also other relevant ones found in the bone structure, such as phosphate and calcium, which confer resistance and are stored within the bone.

5. Decrease muscle cramps and pain

These states related to muscle tissue are more than frequent, the cramp is closely related to the lack of minerals and therefore leads to a muscle contraction, sometimes the same thing happens with injuries or trauma.

To highlight: The presence in poppy seeds of potassium, calcium, and magnesium prevents this sudden onset of muscle pain. Why? Simply put, compounds such as magnesium maintain the proper functioning of muscle tissues and their nerve branches, while potassium and calcium help in their contraction and are stored within.

6. Fight states of anemia

Anemia states are characterized by being present in a body with blood or oxygen deficiency, which generates extreme fatigue or weakness in general, being a symptom of vitamin or mineral deficiency.

In this sense, poppy seeds contain iron which is the main nutrient capable of helping the development of red blood cells (supplemented by vitamin B12 and folic acid present in other foods), and also the maximum production of hemoglobin, this serves to combat and prevent anemia states.

7. They improve the quality of sleep

Many people suffer from occasional insomnia or have certain problems being able to sleep fully, sometimes caused by agitated moments (states of anxiety), where rapid heartbeat or tense muscles are frequent.

Note: The properties obtained in poppy seeds help prevent these problems, to improve sleep in people. How does it happen? infusions with poppy seeds can act as natural sedatives, which lower muscle tension and relax the nervous system.

Poppyseed infusions can act as natural sedatives for a good night’s sleep.

8. They promote skin health

The antioxidant properties of poppy seeds protect the immune system, therefore favoring other environments around it, especially its base, which is human skin (the dermis layer), in which many microorganisms can lodge.

In this sense, the antioxidant mechanisms of poppy seeds prevent damage to the dermis, eliminating toxic agents, but on the other hand, they also favor skin hydration, preventing premature aging and accelerating the healing process.

How can poppy seeds be consumed?

You can consume poppy seeds in very basic forms, the first is through the seeds, which are used in baked products, in juices or smoothies, they can also be spread in hot and typical dishes, it is your free choice.

The second method is with an infusion with seeds, similar to that of a tea, in this case, you should not use more than a tablespoon of poppy seeds, but you can prepare it at any time of the day and mix it with other types of herbs (such as tea leaves).

Poppy seeds are used a lot in baked goods like bread.

Key Findings

Poppy seeds are from the “Papaver rhoeas”. 

Poppy seeds are high in protein, various nutrients, and dietary fiber. 

The benefits of the seeds are bone structure, muscle tissue, and the immune system.

They can be consumed only with the seed added to different food preparations (bread, juices, meals) or through a hot or warm infusion.