Tag: Cottonseed

For every one kilogram of cotton fiber produced, the plant also yields about 1.65 kilograms of seed. While raw cotton seed contains a toxic compound called gossypol, the refined oil derived from it provides several health benefits, including high levels of vitamin E and heart-healthy fats.

For every pound of cotton fiber produced, the plant also yields about 1.6 pounds of seed. Raw, these seeds are inedible for humans due to a toxic compound called gossypol, raising the critical question: is cotton seed edible for humans?

Cotton is the world's leading natural fiber crop, but for every pound of fiber produced, a cotton plant generates 1.6 pounds of seed. The question, "Can humans eat cottonseed?" has historically been met with a resounding no, due to the presence of a toxic compound called gossypol. While raw cottonseed is unsafe, modern agricultural science has found pathways to unlock this protein-rich resource for human nutrition.

Globally, cottonseed contains an estimated 10.8 million metric tons of protein, but it is toxic for human consumption in its raw form due to the compound gossypol. Learning how to consume cotton seeds requires a clear understanding of the necessary processing and safety measures to unlock their nutritional potential.