How to prepare “golden milk” and why is it so valued in India?

The combination of fresh milk and turmeric is called “golden milk”. This product has a piquant taste, a calming effect and healing properties. It has long been used in Indian medicine to treat chronic ailments. We will tell you in detail what benefits “golden milk” brings to the body, how to properly prepare and consume it.

What is golden milk?

Many people mistakenly call golden milk a mixture of regular cow's milk and ground spices. However, the right drink is prepared using Indian technology, which increases the bioavailability of certain chemicals.

Golden milk has a yellow tint and a viscous consistency. It tastes sweet, with light spicy notes. In India, this drink is used as a natural antibiotic: for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections, mycoses, and intestinal diseases.

Chemical composition

When dried and ground, turmeric retains almost 100% of the beneficial substances present in the fresh roots. Thanks to the use of spices, the human body is saturated with vitamins, macro- and microelements, flavonoids, dietary fiber and amino acids.

Table 1. Composition of ground turmeric

100 g of turmeric powder contains 3 daily requirements of iron.

In addition, the composition of the drink is influenced by milk, which is the main ingredient. For example, cow's milk contains a large amount of vitamin B12, which is beneficial for the hematopoietic system. Goat is rich in vitamin A, which strengthens vision, and easily digestible proteins. Coconut milk is high in B vitamins, potassium and magnesium. But it is quite high in calories - 230 kcal per 100 g.

TOP 7 beneficial properties of golden milk

Golden milk benefits adults, children and the elderly. Why should this product, unusual for the CIS, be included in your diet?

1. Strengthens the immune system.The drink promotes the production of protective antibodies that help the body cope with viruses and bacteria. Drink golden milk during the cold season to avoid catching ARVI. If you are already sick, turmeric will ease the symptoms of a cold: relieve inflammation in the throat, eliminate dry cough and body aches, and lower the temperature.The drink will prevent the development of complications.
2. Cleanses the blood.With constant consumption of junk food, toxins accumulate in the blood. They lead to skin rashes (in the form of pimples, blackheads), increased production of subcutaneous sebum, and general weakness. Milk with turmeric perfectly removes waste products from the body. As a result, you begin to feel light, and your skin becomes clean and pleasant to the touch.
3. Normalizes digestion.For diarrhea and flatulence, doctors recommend drinking skim milk with the addition of turmeric. It will improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

   The substance curcumin contained in turmeric fights pathogenic microflora and parasites, reduces inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, golden milk supports pancreatic health.

4. Prevents diseases of the musculoskeletal system.Turmeric milk is rich in calcium and phosphorus. These macroelements are involved in the construction of bone and cartilage tissue, tooth enamel.

   The drink contains calcium and phosphorus in an easily digestible form. The product is especially useful for elderly people and children.

5. Improves brain function.Due to the high content of B vitamins, milk with Indian spices improves mental abilities, in particular attention and memory. It also has a mild sedative effect and helps cope with nervous tension, insomnia, headaches, and migraines.

   The nervous system will receive maximum benefit if you drink golden milk at night. To enhance the soothing properties, you can add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of drink.

6. Reduces the risk of liver and gall bladder diseases.Curcumin present in the drink has a positive effect on liver function.It protects the organ from the negative effects of alcohol breakdown products, heavy metal salts, and other toxins. Golden milk prevents dangerous diseases such as fatty hepatosis and cirrhosis of the liver.

   A drink with turmeric increases the flow of bile. When consumed regularly, it reduces the risk of gallstones.

7. Protects the body from cancer.The drink contains a large amount of antioxidants, in particular vitamin E. These substances neutralize the negative effects of free radicals on the body's cells. The likelihood of getting cancer is reduced.

If a person is already suffering from cancer, golden milk slows down the growth of cancer cells.

Does golden milk help you lose weight?

People who want to lose weight can safely include milk with turmeric in their diet. With a low calorie content (up to 70–75 kcal per 100 g), it saturates the body well, prevents overeating and cravings for sweet foods.

Turmeric has the following beneficial properties:

• removes excess fluid from the body;
• accelerates the breakdown of fats;
• normalizes metabolism - as a result, calories received from food are converted into energy, and not into fat deposits.

B vitamins, which golden milk is rich in, help the body properly absorb proteins, fats and carbohydrates. A person with a healthy metabolism feels energetic and does not gain weight.

Potential harm and contraindications

In large doses, golden milk can cause harm to the body. It is enough to drink 250-300 ml of milk per day with the addition of 1 teaspoon of turmeric paste. If you abuse the drink, you may experience bloating, heartburn, hypoglycemia, and a severe decrease in blood pressure.

If you consume full-fat cow's milk, you may get diarrhea or high blood cholesterol. And when adding too much turmeric to a drink, hair loss and skin problems can occur.

Despite the presence of beneficial properties, golden milk has a solid list of contraindications. The drink should not be consumed in the following cases:

• pregnancy (especially 1st trimester);
• lactation;
• kidney stones, gall bladder;
• gastritis, ulcer in the acute stage;
• the presence of internal bleeding, including menstruation;
• taking blood thinning medications;
• preparation for surgery;
• diabetes;
• inflammatory diseases of the joints, in particular gout.

Children can be given milk with turmeric only from 3 years of age. It is advisable to start with small doses - ¼ teaspoon per glass.

The drink should be taken with caution by hypotensive patients and people with high acidity of gastric juice.

How to properly prepare golden milk?

You can find many recipes for golden milk on the Internet. But the most beneficial for health will be a drink prepared using traditional Indian technology.

First you need to make a paste of turmeric. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Dissolve 50 g of orange powder in 0.5 cups of water.
2. Add 0.5 teaspoon of hot ground pepper and stir. This component will enhance the effect of curcumin in the drink.
3. Place the mixture on the fire and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.

The prepared turmeric paste can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 month. To prepare a healing drink, add 0.5–1 tsp. mixture into a glass of milk. Mix well, heat on the stove or in the microwave, but do not bring to a boil.

At the end, add 1 teaspoon of unrefined vegetable oil (for example, olive) to the milk and drink to your health.

Honey can only be mixed with a cooled drink or used as a snack.

It’s not for nothing that Golden Milk got its name. This is a precious drink for health. Milk with turmeric has a positive effect on the immune, circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems. It has a pleasant taste and provides a feeling of fullness for a long time. Helps to lose excess weight and improve performance. If you have no contraindications, be sure to supplement your diet with a healing product.