Know2eat

Poppy seed

Papaver somniferum

What poppy seed has been studied for

1 association assessed — none with dependable human evidence behind them yet. Strongest first.

  • 1 Insufficient
3 things to know first — allergies, interactions and intake limits

About poppy seed

The tiny ripe seed of the opium poppy, used in baking across central Europe and ground into thickening pastes in South Asia. The seed itself contains no meaningful opiate, but it picks up traces of the plant’s latex during harvest — which is where its unusual complications come from.

Also known as poppy seed, khus khus, blue poppy seed, white poppy seed

Bone Health

The evidence in depth

Best supported: Insufficient

What each association actually rests on, and the papers behind it. A rating describes the state of the research, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Bone mineral density

Bone Health
Insufficient evidence

Poppy seed is often listed among plant calcium sources, and from there the leap to bone health gets made. No human research has tested poppy seed intake against any bone outcome, and the portions people actually eat are small.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

No source is attached to this association yet, so it is rated insufficient by default. It is listed because people commonly ask about it — not because there is evidence for it.

Ask about Poppy seed

Ask about Poppy seed

Answers are written only from the entries on this page — the same nutrients, compounds, claims and citations you can read above. Nothing is added from outside the database, and every answer lists what it was built from.

AI explanations are not switched on for this site, so there is nothing to ask here. Everything above is read straight from the database and does not need them.

Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories525 kcal26%
Protein18 g36%
Total fat41.6 g53%
Carbohydrate28.1 g10%
Fibre19.5 g70%
Total sugars2.99 g—
Water5.95 g—
Fats
Saturated fat4.52 g23%
Monounsaturated fat5.98 g—
Polyunsaturated fat28.6 g—
Cholesterol0 mg0%
ALA (omega-3)0.273 g—
EPA (omega-3)0 g—
DHA (omega-3)0 g—
DPA (omega-3)0 g—
Linoleic acid (omega-6)28.3 g—
Vitamins
Vitamin A0 µg0%
Vitamin C1 mg1%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Vitamin E1.77 mg12%
Vitamin K0 µg0%
Thiamin (B1)0.854 mg71%
Riboflavin (B2)0.1 mg8%
Niacin (B3)0.896 mg6%
Pantothenic acid (B5)0.324 mg6%
Vitamin B60.247 mg15%
Folate82 µg21%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Choline8.8 mg2%
Minerals
Calcium1438 mg111%
Iron9.76 mg54%
Magnesium347 mg83%
Phosphorus870 mg70%
Potassium719 mg15%
Sodium26 mg1%
Zinc7.9 mg72%
Copper1.63 mg181%
Manganese6.71 mg292%
Selenium13.5 µg25%
Other measured compounds
Beta-carotene0 µg—
Alpha-carotene0 µg—
Lycopene0 µg—
Lutein + zeaxanthin0 µg—
Caffeine0 mg—
Ash6.37 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Spices, poppy seed (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171330).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

  • groundIncreases nutrient and flavour release

    Poppy seeds are small and hard enough to pass through the gut largely intact. Grinding or milling them, as central European pastry fillings do, releases both the oil and the flavour.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Worth knowing

    Unwashed poppy seed can carry dangerous amounts of morphine

    Contamination levels vary hugely with variety and processing. Teas and infusions made from unwashed seed bought in bulk have caused opioid overdose deaths, and infant poisoning has followed home preparations. European authorities have set maximum morphine levels in poppy seed for exactly this reason. Seeds on a bread roll are a different situation from a litre of poppy seed tea.

  • Worth knowing

    Positive opiate drug tests after ordinary amounts

    Eating poppy seed cake or bagels can produce a positive urine opiate screen for a day or more, which has cost people jobs and, in one widely reported pattern, triggered child-protection investigations after routine testing in maternity units. Anyone facing workplace or clinical drug testing should avoid poppy seed beforehand.

  • Allergy

    Poppy seed allergy and cross-reactivity

    Allergy to poppy seed is documented including anaphylaxis, and frequently coexists with sensitivity to hazelnut, sesame, kiwi, rye and buckwheat.