The Benefits and Uses of Poppy Seeds

This is a sponsored post.

 

Poppy seeds have been used by people in the Middle East and Asia for more than 3,000 years, but in the western world, they are only now beginning to catch on. Unless you have eaten dishes from Mediterranean, Arab or Indian cuisine, you may have never tried these delicious seeds. In the United States, they can sometimes be found sprinkled on top of bagels or used in salad dressing in restaurants.

 

 

Add them to your favorite foods

They add great flavor to a variety of foods, especially breads and muffins. They have a nutty flavor that is unique to poppy seeds and not comparable to any other seed or nut. If you have never cooked with them before, it is best to start by substituting them for other seeds or nuts you enjoy. It is a refreshing change of flavor for many baked foods. You can also add them to salads to give the salad more crunchiness.

 

Nutritional benefits

Like many nuts and seeds, poppy seeds are a rich source of dietary fiber. In fact, poppy seeds have higher dietary fiber content than other nuts and seeds. They are rich in anti-oxidant properties; therefore, they help fight disease and boost your immune system. Half of the poppy seed is composed of fatty acids and oils that help to keep the bad cholesterol levels (LDL) down while helping the good cholesterol levels (HDL).
 

Vitamin and mineral content

Among the minerals that are present in the largest concentrations are iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium and zinc. The B-complex vitamins are abundant in the poppy seeds including thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. Poppy seeds are also an excellent source of folic acid.

 

Where to find them

You can often find poppy seeds in the spice aisle of supermarkets, but if your grocery store does into have them, you may find them in health food stores. They are available in smaller packages to give you an idea of how well you like them, but once you begin to enjoy them, you can purchase bulk poppy seeds.

 
There are several good brands on the market. All of the best poppy seeds are imported. Many people find the seeds from Turkey to be the best because of their rich flavor. Agromart is one example of one company that sells this type of poppy seed.