Science Explains What Happens To Your Body When You Drink Turmeric Milk Before Bed
Turmeric (Curcumin) is a plant of the ginger family. Known as “the golden spice,” turmeric is well known in Ayurvedic medicine for having potent medicinal properties. Ancient healers used turmeric to treat both skin and respiratory conditions all over India and its subcontinents.
Tumeric is now widely used all around the world and Turmeric Latte, the Western Version of ‘Turmeric / Golden Milk’ is very much on trend. There are some amazing things that happen to your body when you drink Turmeric Milk especially if you drink it just before you go to bed.
WHAT’S THE SECRET?
“Curcumin is a very powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It’s … the most powerful food that I know of for fighting inflammation in the body.” ~ Manohar Garg, Professor of Nutrition at The University of Newcastle (source)
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric that’s responsible for most of the spice’s health attributes.
IT BOOSTS YOUR BRAINPOWER
There is evidence to suggest that golden milk may improve cognitive function. It may also help prevent dementia (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease) by reducing the substances beta-amyloid and tau protein. The accumulation of both is implicated in the development of dementia conditions.
In a 2018 study led by researchers at UCLA and published in the journal The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, a twice-daily, 90 milligram (mg) dose of curcumin produced “significant memory and attention benefits.”
IT IMPROVES YOUR MOOD
Drinking turmeric milk before bedtime may help give your mood a boost. In fact, turmeric may even help alleviate symptoms of depression.
In 2014, researchers launched a study to determine the effects – if any – of curcumin on significant depression. The observed 56 people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). During the study, participants were given one gram (500 mg twice per day) over eight weeks.
The research was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Authors conclude that “curcumin was significantly more effective than placebo in improving several mood-related symptoms.”
IT FIGHTS AGAINST – AND PROTECTS YOU FROM – ARTHRITIS
Both turmeric and curcumin are potent natural anti-inflammatories. Inflammation is the root cause of numerous conditions and diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Two studies were carried out with potentially far-reaching implications for people with RA. In the first study, individuals who received 500 mg of curcumin experienced less pain than those who received a prescription-strength painkiller diclofenac sodium.
In the second study, researchers conclude “C. Domestica [curcumin] extracts are as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.” Moreover, “fewer gastrointestinal” problems were reported by the curcumin group than the ibuprofen group.
IT BURNS FAT (AND HELPS KEEP IT OFF!)
Multiple studies demonstrate that turmeric may be an effective metabolism booster. Once again, scientists are pointing to curcumin as the catalyst.
In a 2014 review published in Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, researchers point to multiple weight loss mechanisms of curcumin. “[Curcumin] is effective against inflammation, oxidative stress … maintains the harmony of nutritional substances,” and therefore is “beneficial for the management of obesity.”
In a study published in European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, Italian researchers found that a more bioavailable form of curcumin facilitates weight loss. Versus the supplement phosphatidylserine, curcumin supplementation:
– more than doubled total weight loss
– increased body fat percentage burned, from .7 percent to around 8.5 percent.
– increased waistline reduction threefold
IT LOWERS YOUR CANCER RISK (AND MAY EVEN HELP TREAT IT)
This is undoubtedly a big claim. Fortunately, there is a truckload of evidence to support it.
Multiple studies suggest that curcumin inhibits cellular proliferation and induces the critical mechanisms of cancer cell apoptosis (cell death) and mitosis (division and replication.)
If there is a caveat, it’s that one should take a more bioavailable form of curcumin (e.g., nanocurcumin) or a concentrated form of turmeric to realize these benefits.
Curcumin has shown to be a capable preventative and clinical treatment for multiple cancer types, including:
– breast cancer
– colorectal cancer
– pancreatic cancer
– prostate cancer
HOW TO MAKE TURMERIC MILK WITH TEA INDIA TURMERIC CHAI
It’s easy to make this magical drink using Tea India Turmeric Chai as we’ve done all the spice and tea blending for you and sealed it in a neat little teabag.
All you need to do is:
Measure 1 cup of milk, or plant based alternative per person and pour into a saucepan.
Add one Tea India Turmeric teabag per person.
Bring the milk or plant based alternative to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
Gently squeeze the teabags with the back of a spoon to release the final bits of flavour and discard.
Pour into your favourite cup or mug and if you like your drinks sweet add honey or agave syrup to taste.
Finally grab your favourite book or magazine and take yourself off to bed for the magic to happen.
If you prefer your drinks cold, follow all of the above and then chill in the fridge.
