Ever wondered the reason behind the recent obsession of the west with “turmeric latte”? Their obsession with our old as time “haldi doodh” make us question their sanity. But have we ever given this treasured recipe as much importance as it deserves? People in Pakistan often neglect the benefits of golden milk before bed, due to its excessive and easy availability.
This magic drink most often served to us by our grandmothers can do miracles for our health in the short and long run.
Golden milk also known as turmeric milk is composed of two simple ingredients; milk and turmeric, with other optional ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger.
Turmeric is an eminent spice in the South Asian region, more specifically in the subcontinental region of the Asia. Its massive availability and easy access has led locals to undermine the enumerable positive properties it possesses.
The worlds obsession with this treasured spice has made locals realize the actual worth of just one glass of this spicy golden drink.
Benefits of golden milk before bed exacerbate the collective benefits of various other night time eating rituals.
Benefits of Golden Milk Before Bed
Aids in Deep Sleep
Golden milk helps in relaxing and reducing anxiety. Special compounds in milk; melatonin and tryptophan induce sleep. These are also responsible for a deep and sound sleep.
Initial experiments on mice reveal that turmeric reduces sleep deprivation. The fusion of milk and turmeric with all their sleep aiding properties, make golden milk a perfect sleep inducer.
Fights Inflammation
Turmeric with all its anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties have been used as an ayurvedic medicine for ages. With “curcumin” as its active ingredient, turmeric with milk can help you fight inflammation.
If inflammation in the body is not treated it can lead to permanent cell and organ damage. With its regular use its almost impossible for you to get any kind of severe inflammation.
Besides turmeric other common ingredients of golden milk such as cinnamon and ginger also possess undeniably great anti oxidant properties, not only fighting inflammation but also lowering the risk of other diseases.
Golden milk and fat loss
Milk is often related to excessive weight gain, but if paired right, the same milk can help you lose weight. The curcumin in turmeric prevents the accumulation of fat in the adipose tissues, hence preventing obesity.
Turmeric along with its cousin ginger, contains gingerols and shogaols, both of which possess thermogenic properties. These thermogenic characteristics help increase the metabolic activity, hence aiding in weight loss.
All ingredients of golden milk fight constipation. fighting and preventing constipation keeps the bowel system regulated which compliments healthy weight loss.
Improves cognitive function
Golden milk before bed not only improves general cognitive function, it is also responsible for the prevention of certain brain diseases like dementia.
It prevents the accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau protein, the accumulation of both is implicated in the development of dementia.
Studies show that a dose of 90mg of curcumin (the active ingredient of turmeric) produces significant attention and memory benefits.
Eases Menstrual Cramps and Labor Pains
Haldi Doodh has always been the go to recipe of all grandmothers to ease menstrual cramps. This now, has been proven by science also. Turmeric is a natural antispasmodic, which is always to the rescue in times of extreme menstrual cramps.
A cup of warm golden milk is all you need to have an easy period and peaceful sleep. As claimed by a number of pregnant women, turmeric milk also aids in easy delivery.
Improves Mood
Benefits of golden milk at night include the improvement of mood and less mood swings. Curcumin in turmeric is thought to have positive effects on mood.
Experiments show that people consuming turmeric show similar improvements in mood, to people taking regular anti-depressants. This makes golden milk a natural anti depressant with same benefits but absolutely no side effects.
Increases Bone Health
Milk is the famous friend of healthy bones, due to abundant amount of calcium. But in golden milk, milk is not the only ingredient benefiting the bones.
As, inflammation is the root cause of bone diseases like arthritis, the anti inflammatory properties of turmeric help in the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric is also responsible for decreasing the severity of pain in already diseased patients of arthritis. Studies even show the pain reducing properties of curcumin to be comparable to prescribed pain-killer medicines.
Lowers the Risk of Cancer
In addition to the conventional treatment of cancer, alternate preventive measures are being sought after by many. Golden milk not only lowers the risk of cancer but may help teat it as well.
The active ingredient of turmeric; curcumin regulates the process of mitosis (cell division) and inhibits cell proliferation. These properties can be enhanced further by using a more bioavailable form of curcumin or simply a concentrated form of turmeric. Certain ingredients in ginger also are hypothesized to be anti-cancerous.
These properties might be preventive or may aid in the treatment but can not be used in substitution to the proper medical treatment.
The benefits of golden milk at night stretch far and beyond any other conventional nigh time recipe. Turmeric, being a superfood gives it all of its signature health benefits. But other ingredients like ginger, milk and cinnamon do not stay far behind, they also provide health benefits beyond our assumptions.
FAQs About Benefits of Golden Milk Before Bed
What is the best time to drink turmeric milk?
The best time to drink turmeric milk is just before bed. This may help you sleep better and provide all the above mentioned benefits.
Does turmeric milk lighten skin?
Although, drinking turmeric milk might not have any effect on your skin. But applying turmeric with other ingredients like milk, yogurt or honey can give you a brighter and even toned skin.
Can golden milk cause weight loss?
Golden milk in moderation can aid in weight loss. Due to its metabolism-fastening properties turmeric can help you lose weight. It also prevents the accumulation of extra fat in the adipose cells. The ant-constipation properties of turmeric milk can help you have a healthy bowel, which helps in losing weight.
What is the best recipe to make golden milk?
Despite the two basic ingredients; milk and turmeric, it is wise to add other beneficial ingredients like ginger and cinnamon. All these ingredients possess remarkable properties. These ingredients can improve your health in unimaginable ways.
