Is cotton edible?

Question

It is a plant, right?

Answer 1

cotton is a plant...not edible but i suppose you could eat it if you wanted it wont kill you. Cotton Candy on the other hand mmmmmm... lol

Answer 2

Yes it is a plant. No, it is not eatable. It has glossypol.

Cotton that has been genetically engineered so its seed is no longer toxic could provide protein-rich food for poor countries. The researchers say the technology used could make other toxic plants safe to eat.

Cottonseed contains about 22% protein, and the cotton already produced worldwide has enough protein to meet the requirements of 500 million people. But it also contains the toxin gossypol, making it poisonous to animals, including humans.

In people, gossypol lowers blood potassium to dangerous levels, resulting in fatigue and even paralysis. A surprising side effect is that gossypol is an effective male contraceptive, but research on this aspect was abandoned in the late 1990s. Attempts to eliminate gossypol from cotton plants in the 1960s and 1970s failed: insects that had previously been kept at bay by the toxin happily ate the modified plant.

Texas A & M University has managed to remove gossypol from cotton seed without affecting the toxin load in the rest of the plant, meaning the plant will contain edible seed but not be destroyed by crop pests.

If you are planning to eat your shirt or pants, I don't advise that either. So the seed of cotton would be eatable if it did not contain glossypol. Seeds used for cotton seed oil are eatable, since they have been genetically engineered to not have glossypol. Glossypol was engineered into cotton seed to keep the boll weavel from eating it.

Answer 3

All plants are not edible. They are apparently trying to make it possible to make cotton seeds a food source though.

http://www.seedtoday.com/articles/Modified_Cotton_Seeds_May_Be_Edible-39330.html

I found this also:
Another plant that children often handle during craft projects at school is cotton. Processed cotton balls do not have any toxin, but the plant itself is full of poison glands (little black dots if you look closely) that produce gossypol. Gossypol is a toxin that naturally occurs to help prevent insect damage to the plants. Children can examine and feel natural cotton balls and can compare the actual cotton boll (the ball with the seeds and outer covering attached) with processed cotton balls or cloth. However, if you have a child who often chews objects or puts things in his mouth, do not leave potentially toxic seeds or cotton balls where the child can reach them.

Answer 4

just because its a plant doesnt make it edible. Poison oak isnt edible either, and cotton is technically a weed

Answer 5

You can eat cotton plants but I do not know why you would want to. The seeds are compressed to get cottonseed oil which is used in some cooking oils and for other things.

Answer 6

Cotton is one of those things that is obviously not poisonous, but not meant for consumption. It would definitely cause constipation, because your body would not be able to properly digest it.

Answer 7

why would you want to eat cotton? Its a plant but you still cant eat it!!


AGAIN WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO EAT COTTON?

Answer 8

absolutely- and if I'm wrong, I'll eat my shirt- (which is 100% cotton) just to make a point!

Answer 9

Doesn't cotton come in those little packs marked "Do not consume"?

Answer 10

yes