Health Benefits Of Poppy Seed - Nutritional Value Of Poppy Seeds, Nutrition Benefits Of Eating Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds are the oil seeds that are obtained from the ‘opium poppy’. The tiny, kidney-shaped seeds are harvested from dried seedpods. These seeds are used as an ingredient in many recipes, from different cuisines, and can also be used to obtain poppy seed oil, which has proved to be effective in curing breast cancer and many other ailments. Poppy seeds owe their origin to the Orient and Greece, though they now can be found in many countries of the world, like India, China, Turkey, Iran, Holland and Canada. These seeds are not only good in adding flavor to your food, but also provide several nutrition benefits to human body. Read on to explore the nutritional value and health benefits of poppy seeds.

Nutritional Value Of Poppy Seeds

Weight of Poppy Seeds: 100 g

Nutrients	Amount
Basic Components
Protein	18 g
Water	100 g
Ash	100 g
Calories
Total Calories	533
Calories From Carbohydrate	24.6%
Calories From Fat	69.2%
Carbohydrates
Total Carbohydrate	28 g
Dietary Fiber	23 g
Sugars	3 g
Fats & Fatty Acids
Total Fat	42 g
Saturated Fat	5g
Monounsaturated Fat	6 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	29 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A	0.0 IU
Vitamin C	3 mg
Vitamin K	0.0 mcg
Niacin	0.976 mg
Vitamin B6	0.444mg
Folate	82 μg (21%)
Pantothenic Acid	0 mcg
Minerals
Calcium	1438 mg
Iron	10 mg
Magnesium	331 mg
Phosphorus	849 mg
Potassium	700 mg
Sodium	21 mg
Zinc	10.23 mg
Copper	1.633 mg
Manganese	6.833 mg
Selenium	1.6 mcg

Health & Nutrition Benefits Of Eating Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds are storehouses of opium, which serves as a useful ingredient for preparing various herbal medicines.
The seeds are a source of different types of minerals, like iodine, manganese, magnesium, zinc and copper.
They are beneficial in enhancing enzymes, like diastase, lipase and nuclease, in the human body.
Poppy seeds are a good source of fatty acids, especially the omega-3 fatty acids, which are required by the human body to ensure good health. These seeds can be consumed in various forms to supply these acids to the body, to make it immune to various diseases.
They help in enhancing energy levels in human body, as they are a good source of carbohydrates.
The linoleic acid present in poppy seeds helps protect human body from heart attack and other heart-related disorders.
These seeds are also considered to be helpful in facilitating effective digestion in human body.
The oil made out of poppy seeds has proven beneficial in treating breast cancer, as it contains oleic acid.

Tips

Poppy seeds are good at adding flavor to a number of food items, like breads, rolls, cookies and cakes.
It is better to grow your own poppies for culinary purposes. Make sure that you are growing the oriental variety. Clip whole poppy flowers and hang them until the plant is completely dry.
You can purchase Dutch poppy seeds as well, as they are rich in flavor and of renowned quality. You can even save some money by purchasing the European and Australian varieties, which are most commonly used.
Bring out the full flavor of poppy seeds by lightly roasting and crushing them before use. At the very least, crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle to release their flavorful oils.
Poppy seeds are used by people across the world in its grinded form, for dishing up various types of deserts.
They can also be used to cook different vegetables, apart from noodles and fishes, adding flavor and aroma to these dishes.

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Benefits Of Poppy Seed

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