What Is Poppy Seed? Other Names: Abou en Noum, Adormidera, Papaver somniferum

What is Poppy Seed?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Poppy seeds are small, oil-rich seeds derived from the opium poppy plant, scientifically known as Papaver somniferum. These seeds have been used for culinary, medicinal, and industrial purposes across various cultures and regions. Other names include: Abou en Noum, Abu el Noom, Abu el-Num, Adormidera, Afyun, Ahiphenam, Amapola, Amapola Real, Anfiao, Aphioni, Aphukam, Bhainzi, Birkes, Blauwmaanzaad, Blue Poppy Seeds, Breadseed Poppy, Dormideira, Edible-Seeded Poppy, Garden Poppy, Garten Mohn, Graine de pavot, Hashhash, Herba Dormidora, Keshi, Khishkhash, Maankop, Maanzaad, Mak, Mak Lekarski, Mak Sety, Medicinal Poppy, Mohn, Oeillette, Oilseed Poppy, Oopiumjunikko, Opievallmo, Opium Poppy, Opiummohn, Opiumpapawer, Opiumvallmo, Opiumvalmue, Papaver somniferum, Papavero da Oppio, Papavero Domestico, Papavero Sonnifero, Papoula, Paragtarbuti, Pavot Officinal, Pavot Somnifère, Pavot A Opium, Pavot de Jardin, Pintacoques, Pioniunikko, Pionvallmo, Schlafmohn, Semilla de amapola, Slaapbol, Slaappapver, Small Opium Poppy, Small-Flower Opium Poppy, Uniko, Vallmo, Valmúafræ, Valmue, Valmue Frø, Vrtni Mak, White Poppy, White Poppy Seeds, Wild Poppy, Yanggwibi, Ying Su, Za Zang.

Uses of Poppy Seed

Culinary Uses

Poppy seeds are widely used in cooking and baking, adding a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to dishes. They are often sprinkled on bread, pastries, and salads. In some cultures, poppy seeds are used to thicken sauces and curries, as seen in Malaysia, where they are incorporated into curry dishes. However, the consumption of poppy seeds can lead to detectable levels of opiates like morphine and codeine in the urine, which can be a concern for drug testing1.

Industrial and Medicinal Applications

Poppy seed oil is used in various industrial applications, including as a contrast agent in medical imaging. For instance, ethiodized poppy-seed oil is used in hysterosalpingography, a procedure to evaluate the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, and has been associated with a higher conception rate compared to water-soluble contrast media4 5. Moreover, iodized poppy seed oil has been explored as a means to address iodine deficiency, although its efficacy compared to other iodized oils like peanut oil has been questioned9.

Nutritional and Health Benefits

Poppy seeds are a good source of dietary fiber, essential fatty acids, and various micronutrients. They are particularly rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, which has been shown to improve growth and feed utilization in animals like common carp when used as a dietary supplement7. Additionally, poppy seed oil has been studied for its potential protective effects on the brain, particularly in reducing oxidative stress and cell damage in the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia and re-perfusion3.

Considerations and Concerns

While poppy seeds are generally safe for consumption, their opiate content can pose challenges, particularly in contexts where drug testing is prevalent. High consumption of poppy seeds can lead to positive drug tests, as demonstrated in studies where individuals consuming poppy seed-enriched meals showed elevated morphine and codeine levels in their urine1. Additionally, while poppy seed oil has potential health benefits, its use in iodine supplementation has shown limited efficacy in improving cognitive and motor functions in iodine-deficient children6 10.

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Adverse Effects of Poppy Seed

Opiate Content: Poppy seeds naturally contain opiates such as morphine and codeine. Consumption of foods containing high doses of poppy seeds can lead to detectable levels of these opiates in urine, potentially exceeding the cut-off value for drug tests (300 ng/mL). This can result in false positives in drug screenings, particularly when large quantities are consumed over consecutive days2.

Potential for Positive Drug Tests: In a study, individuals consuming high doses of poppy seed-enriched curry showed positive urine tests for opiates, especially when consumed over multiple meals. This effect was influenced by the amount of water consumed, as higher water intake could dilute the opiate concentration in urine2.

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How has Poppy Seed Improved Patient Outcomes?

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) Outcomes

Reduced Pain and Complications: Patients undergoing HSG with ethiodized poppy-seed oil experienced significantly less lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding compared to those using water-soluble contrast media. Additionally, the prevalence of pelvic infection or inflammation was lower with poppy-seed oil1.

Increased Pregnancy Rates: The use of ethiodized poppy-seed oil in HSG was associated with a higher conception rate. Almost one-third of infertile women who underwent HSG with this oil had normal pregnancies and childbirths, significantly more than those using water-soluble media3.

Cancer Treatment Outcomes

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the use of iodized poppy-seed oil (Lipiodol) containing anticancer drugs as an adjuvant therapy improved disease-free survival rates post-hepatectomy. However, while it was effective in reducing recurrence, it did not significantly improve overall survival rates2.

Chemotherapy Delivery: The size of iodinated poppy seed oil microdroplets used in chemotherapy delivery for hepatocellular carcinoma affected treatment efficacy. Larger microdroplets led to a more significant decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, indicating better treatment response4.

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Poppy Seed Mechanisms of Action

Opiate Content and Urinary Excretion

Consumption of poppy seeds can lead to detectable levels of opiates, such as morphine and codeine, in urine. A study found that high dosages of poppy seeds in curry could result in positive opiate tests in urine, especially when consumed over multiple meals. Water consumption significantly affects the concentration of opiates in urine, with higher water intake leading to lower opiate concentrations1.

Iodine Supplementation

Poppy seed oil has been used as a vehicle for iodine supplementation in areas lacking iodized salt. However, research indicates that iodized peanut oil is more effective than iodized poppy seed oil in increasing urinary iodine levels and reducing thyroid volume among schoolchildren. This suggests that while poppy seed oil can be used for iodine supplementation, other oils may offer superior efficacy2.

Neuroprotective Effects

Poppy seed oil may have protective effects on the brain, particularly the hippocampus, after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. In a study with rats, poppy seed oil improved antioxidant defense capacity, as evidenced by increased glutathione levels and reduced malondialdehyde levels, although it did not significantly alter cell death frequency. This suggests potential neuroprotective properties of poppy seed oil in oxidative stress conditions3.

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Common Complaints Associated with Poppy Seed Use

Opiate Content in Urine: Consumption of poppy seeds, particularly in high dosages, can result in urine opiate levels that exceed the cut-off value of 300 ng/mL, potentially leading to false-positive drug tests1.

Dosage Impact: The study found that low dosages of poppy seeds did not result in positive drug tests, whereas high dosages did, especially when consumed over multiple meals1.

Influence of Hydration: The amount of water consumed after eating poppy seed-containing foods can significantly affect opiate concentration in urine. Higher water intake can dilute urine, potentially reducing opiate concentration and affecting test results1.

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Disclaimer

The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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