This bright yellow beverage is traditionally made by warming up cow’s or plant-based milk with turmeric and other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger.
It’s touted for its many health benefits and often used as an alternative remedy to boost immunity and stave off illness.
Here are 10 science-based benefits of golden milk — and a recipe to make your own.
1. Key Ingredients Are Loaded With Antioxidants
The key ingredient in golden milk is turmeric, a yellow spice popular in Asian cuisine, which gives curry its yellow color.
Curcumin, the active component in turmeric, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries due to its strong antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants are compounds that fight cell damage, protecting your body from oxidative stress.
They’re essential to the functioning of your cells, and studies regularly show that diets rich in antioxidants may help lower your risk of infections and disease.
Most golden milk recipes also include cinnamon and ginger — both of which have impressive antioxidant properties as well
2. May Help Reduce Inflammation and Joint Pain
The ingredients in golden milk have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Chronic inflammation is thought to play a major role in chronic diseases, including cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. For this reason, diets rich in anti-inflammatory compounds may reduce your risk of these conditions.
Research shows that ginger, cinnamon and curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies even suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are comparable to those of some pharmaceutical drugs with none of the side effects.
These anti-inflammatory effects may reduce joint pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
In a 6-week study in 247 people with osteoarthritis, those given ginger extract experienced less pain and required less pain medication than those given a placebo
3. May Improve Memory and Brain Function
Similarly, lab and animal studies report that compounds in cinnamon may help reduce the growth of cancer cells.
Golden milk may be good for your brain, too.
Studies show that curcumin may increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a compound that helps your brain form new connections and promotes the growth of brain cells.
Low levels of BDNF may be linked to brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Other ingredients may provide benefits as well.
For instance, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s is an accumulation of a specific protein in the brain, called the tau protein. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that compounds in cinnamon may help reduce this buildup.
What’s more, cinnamon appears to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and improve brain function in animal studies.
Ginger may also boost brain function by improving reaction time and memory. Moreover, in animal studies, ginger appears to protect against age-related brain function loss.
4. Curcumin in Turmeric May Improve Mood
It appears that turmeric — more specifically its active compound curcumin — may boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
In a 6-week study, 60 individuals with major depressive disorders took either curcumin, an antidepressant or a combination.
Those given only curcumin experienced similar improvements as those given antidepressants, while the combination group noticed the most benefits.
Depression may also be linked to low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). As curcumin appears to boost levels of BDNF, it may have the potential to reduce symptoms of depression.
5. May Protect Against Heart Disease
Heart disease is the worldwide leading cause of death. Interestingly, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric — the key ingredients in golden milk — have all been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
For instance, a review of 10 studies concluded that 120 mg of cinnamon per day may lower total cholesterol, triglyceride and “bad” LDL levels while raising “good” HDL levels.
In another study, 41 participants with type 2 diabetes were given 2 grams of ginger powder per day. At the end of the 12-week study, measured risk factors for heart disease were 23–28% lower.
What’s more, curcumin may improve the function of your blood vessel linings — known as endothelial function. Proper endothelial function is important for a healthy heart.
In one study, people undergoing heart surgery were given either 4 grams of curcumin or a placebo a few days before and after their surgery.
Those given curcumin were 65% less likely to experience a heart attack during their hospital stay than people in the placebo group.
6. May Lower Blood Sugar Levels
The ingredients in golden milk, particularly ginger and cinnamon, may help lower blood sugar levels.
For instance, 1–6 grams of cinnamon per day may lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 29%. Moreover, cinnamon may reduce insulin resistance.
Insulin-resistant cells are less able to take up sugar from your blood, so lowering insulin resistance generally lowers blood sugar levels.
Cinnamon seems to reduce how much glucose is absorbed in your gut after a meal, which can further improve blood sugar control.
Similarly, regularly adding small amounts of ginger to your diet may help lower fasting blood sugar levels by up to 12%.
A small, daily dose of ginger may also lower hemoglobin A1C levels by up to 10% — a marker of long-term blood sugar control.
It’s worth noting that most golden milk recipes are sweetened with honey or maple syrup. Blood sugar lowering benefits, if any, are likely only present when drinking unsweetened varieties.
7. May Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
Cancer is a disease marked by uncontrolled cell growth.
In addition to conventional treatments, alternative anti-cancer remedies are being increasingly sought after. Interestingly, some research suggests that the spices used in golden milk may offer some benefits in this regard.
For instance, some test-tube studies attribute anti-cancer properties to 6-gingerol, a substance found in large amounts in raw ginger.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may also kill isolated cancer cells in a test tube and prevent the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, limiting their ability to spread.
8. Has Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal Properties
In India, golden milk is often used as a home remedy against colds. In fact, the yellow drink is touted for its immune-boosting properties.
Test-tube studies suggest that curcumin has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties which may help prevent and fight infections.
Moreover, compounds in fresh ginger may inhibit the growth of some bacteria. Ginger extract may fight the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), a common cause of respiratory infections.
Similarly, lab test studies indicate that cinnamaldehyde, the active compound in cinnamon, may prevent the growth of bacteria. In addition, it may help treat respiratory tract infections caused by fungi.
The ingredients in golden milk also have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which may strengthen your immune system.
9. Ginger and Turmeric May Improve Digestion
Chronic indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is characterized by pain and discomfort in the upper part of your stomach.
Delayed stomach emptying is a potential cause of indigestion. Ginger, one of the ingredients used in golden milk, may help relieve this condition by speeding up stomach emptying in people suffering from dyspepsia.
Research further shows that turmeric, another ingredient used to make golden milk, may help reduce indigestion symptoms. Turmeric may also improve the digestion of fat by increasing your production of bile by up to 62%.
Finally, studies show that turmeric can help maintain proper digestion and prevent flare-ups in individuals with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory digestive disorder resulting in ulcers in the gut.
10. Calcium and Vitamin D Contribute to Stronger Bones
Golden milk may contribute to a strong skeleton.
Both cow’s and enriched plant milks are generally rich in calcium and vitamin D — two nutrients essential for building and maintaining strong bones.
If your diet is too low in calcium, your body starts removing calcium from your bones to maintain normal calcium levels in your blood. Over time, this makes bones weak and brittle, increasing your risk of bone diseases, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Vitamin D contributes to stronger bones by improving your gut’s ability to absorb calcium from your diet. Low levels of vitamin D in your body may thus lead to weak and brittle bones, even if your diet is rich in calcium.
Though cow’s milk naturally contains calcium and is often enriched with vitamin D, not all plant milks are rich in these two nutrients.
If you prefer to make your golden milk using a plant-based milk, choose one that is enriched with both calcium and vitamin D for more bone-strengthening benefits.
How to Make Golden Milk
Golden milk is easy to make at home. For a single serving of golden milk or about one cup, simply follow this recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) of an unsweetened milk of your choice
- 1 tsp of turmeric
- 1 small piece of grated fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp of ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder
- 1 pinch of ground black pepper.
- 1 tsp of honey or maple syrup (optional)
Directions:
To make the golden milk, simply mix all ingredients in a small saucepan or pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until fragrant and flavorful. Strain the drink through a fine strainer into mugs and top with a pinch of cinnamon.
Golden milk can also be made in advance and stored in your refrigerator for up to five days. Simply reheat it before drinking.
The Bottom Line
Golden milk is a delicious drink loaded with antioxidants that may provide an array of health benefits, ranging from a healthier brain and heart to stronger bones, improved digestion and a lower risk of disease.
To reap the most health benefits, use a milk with both calcium and vitamin D and limit the amount of honey or syrup you add to your drink.
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