Turmeric Golden Milk Is The Traditional Indian Home Remedy You Can Drink Anytime

turmeric golden milk
turmeric golden milk - Rocky89/Getty Images

If you're looking for a hot drink that gets you feeling great while tasting even better, look no further than turmeric golden milk. Perfect for when you have a cold or as an end-of-the-night sipper, turmeric golden milk is a traditional Ayurvedic drink. Ayurveda is a millennia-old Indian yogic practice of healthy, holistic eating. It comes from the Vedas, which were an important set of writings that later laid the philosophical and spiritual foundations for Hinduism and Buddhism. You don't have to ascribe to Ayurvedic ideas to enjoy this wonderful treat, though.

Turmeric golden milk's primary ingredients are, unsurprisingly, turmeric and milk. From there, you'll find variations on the same theme. Ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon are often added to increase how flavorful and spicy the drink is while honey or maple syrup can be added to introduce a touch of sweetness. If you want to go fully traditional, it's just turmeric, milk, and black pepper. There's no caffeine in turmeric golden milk, which makes it a great coffee substitute for anyone looking to cut down on their caffeine intake.

Read more: 26 Coffee Hacks You Need To Know For A Better Cup

Health Benefits Of Turmeric Golden Milk

turmeric golden milk
turmeric golden milk - Olena Rudo/Shutterstock

Although turmeric golden milk is a great choice based on taste alone, most people choose to drink it for the health benefits -- and there are plenty.  Whether it's dried or fresh, turmeric is a fantastic antioxidant thanks to its primary active ingredient, curcumin. Both cinnamon and ginger are rich in antioxidants as well. Antioxidants fight off free radicals in the body, which are known to cause serious health problems such as cancer and diabetes.

The drink also has anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is one of the worst health problems we face in society. It's linked to over 50% of deaths worldwide (to be clear, being linked does not mean caused). Turmeric golden milk is a natural home remedy that can be used to combat chronic inflammation in the body.

Turmeric golden milk also has benefits for the brain. More studies need to be done, but preliminary work seems to indicate that turmeric golden milk positively impacts our memory capacity and can even boost our mood -- perfect for a sluggish winter day. Both turmeric and ginger aid in digestion as well. As nutritionists and neuroscientists alike are becoming more interested in the gut-brain barrier, we are learning just how important our gut health is for healthy cognition. Turmeric golden milk is a tasty way to boost both.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.