Whether you want quick healing of internal injuries or wish to get good sleep, drinking turmeric milk, also known as golden milk, before sleeping has been a tradition in many Indian homes for generations.
From providing relief from a sore throat to helping in better sleep, this drink is often touted by people as a home remedy. Despite the countless benefits of turmeric milk for health, sometimes a small mistake made unknowingly while preparing it starts causing harm to health instead of benefits. In such a situation, to take full advantage of the health benefits of ‘Golden Milk’, we tried to know from Dr. Rinkesh Kumar Bansal, Gastroenterologist of Fortis Hospital (Gurgaon), what is the right way to make turmeric milk and what mistakes people often make while making it.
What is the biggest mistake while making golden milk?
Adding turmeric to boiling or very hot milk
When turmeric is added to extremely hot milk, some of its nutrients, especially curcumin, may be affected by the high temperature. Curcumin is the main active ingredient of turmeric, responsible for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Excessive heat can reduce its effectiveness, so you may not get the full health benefits you expect.
Ignoring healthy fats
Another big mistake made while making turmeric milk is not adding black pepper or healthy fat to it. Curcumin is not absorbed well by the body on its own. If turmeric milk does not contain a pinch of black pepper (which contains piperine) or a fat such as ghee, coconut oil, or full-fat milk, much of the turmeric may pass through the body without being properly absorbed.
use more turmeric
Some families add more turmeric thinking that more quantity will mean more benefits. Whereas the truth is that excess turmeric can cause stomach irritation, gas or nausea. Especially if you take it daily.
The right way to make turmeric milk
To make turmeric milk, just heat the milk, do not boil it. After this add ¼ to ½ teaspoon turmeric powder in it. After this, add a pinch of black pepper to the milk. Then use a few drops of ghee or full-fat milk. Mix everything well and then drink it after keeping it for 2 minutes. Ginger, cinnamon or honey (after the milk cools down a bit) can also be added to enhance the taste and benefits.