Poppy seed: Expert opinions, health risks, and more

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Published: 17 December 2022 | Written by Super User | Print | Email | Hits: 3463

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Side effects by Tanya van Aswegen

Most commercially available poppy seeds purchased from reliable supermarkets are cleaned before being sold, however unwashed poppy seeds can contain morphine and other opiates. When poppy seeds are soaked in water, milk or other liquids, the morphine and opiates can seep into the liquid. Consuming this liquid could cause serious life threatening side-effects and can also be lethal.
When consumed as a food source, poppy seeds are generally considered safe when purchased from reliable sources and eaten in small quantities. Safety of poppy seed oils however depend on the manufacturing process and could potentially contain opioid-type substances, which can be harmful.
Studies show that regular and relatively high intakes of dietary poppy seeds could result in testing positive for opiate-compounds during drug tests.

Pregnant women or children should not take poppy seed due to effect in the neurological central systems it has.
People with glaucoma should be careful taking poppy seed due to it affects ocular tension.