By now you probably have heard of turmeric milk or as some may call it “golden milk”, but if you haven’t you’re in for a treat! This delicious drink is comforting, soothing and relaxing by nature and it is also loaded with nutrients.
Turmeric, the beautiful gold/yellowish spice, has been used in Indian recipes and in Ayurvedic practices for thousands of years. It is loaded with antioxidants, has the ability to work as an anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Known as a “healing spice”, Eastern cultures have been using turmeric for medicinal purposes as a remedy for a slew of ailments. Anything from soothing sore throats to healing wounds and headaches, you name it and turmeric can help. The list of benefits from turmeric is so extensive that there have even been articles written about how it can be more effective than modern medicine.
Most of the turmeric’s health benefits can be attributed to a compound called curcumin. Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical, giving turmeric it’s vibrant color and is largely responsible for turmeric’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A few of our favorite benefits include:
- Protects healthy cells from free radicals which can cause damage
- Aids in digestion
- Prevents heart diseases
- Fights arthritis
- Brain-boosting
- Helps prevent cancer
- Fights depression
- Anti-aging
- Clarifies skin
- Purifies blood
And that is just to name a few! The only issue with curcumin is that it has low bioavailability (the amount of a nutrient which is available and readily absorbed by the body to use for metabolic purposes). Now don’t let that scare you away because there two extremely easy solutions for it! One solution: consume turmeric with pepper. Pepper has a compound called piperine, which slows our liver from metabolizing the curcumin too quickly and removing it through urine. The second solution: consume turmeric with a healthy fat. Curcumin is fat-soluble, so when consumed together with the fat it helps dissolve the curcumin so it can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream.
Luckily, our turmeric milk has both black pepper and a healthy fat (coconut oil)! So we suggest kicking your shoes off, cuddling with your favorite blanket, lighting a nice candle and winding down with a warm mug of this amazing drink. Sit back and let the powerful benefits of turmeric do its work!
*Note: the beautiful, vibrant color of turmeric loves to give some of its hue to anything it touches. So beware if you have a light manicure or light kitchen tops. It usually comes out with most cleaning agents.
Ingredients:
2 Cups almond milk
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 – 1 Tbs. raw honey (depending on your sweetness preference)
1 Tbs. coconut oil
1 – 1 1/2 inch fresh ginger root, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
8 peppercorns
Instructions:
1.) Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a light boil, whisking all ingredients together. Reduce heat and simmer for 10- 15 minutes.
2.) Strain milk into a mug and serve warm!
