Turmeric has been around for thousands of years. You might have seen it in cooking recipes for vibrant, yellow curries, or you might even know that the spicy root has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
Turmeric’s health benefits have become the subject of academic study and curiosity within food & wellness spaces beyond the Asian continent; that’s right – the rise in popularity of drinks like the golden milk latte isn’t just attributed to their sunshine-y appearance and spicy aroma. Many studies have found that one key compound found in turmeric, curcumin, has especially detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s some of the science behind why people are sipping on golden milk now more than ever:
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
In one
25-year-long study, curcumin was found to provide beneficial, anti-inflammatory effects to those suffering from a laundry list of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, ulcerative colitis, and more. This might be because
curcumin has been found to suppress the activation of transcription factor NF-kB, a protein involved in producing pro-inflammatory mediators.
Liver Health
One study suggests that curcumin suppresses the liver from oxidative stress and protects the liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced injury. Turmeric extract and curcumin are potential therapeutic natural antioxidants for liver treatment.
Detox
In
one study, researchers even indicated that curcumin had a detoxing effect against mercury exposure.
Brain Function
Curcumin may promote the growth of brain cells. How? In
this study, researchers found a relationship between curcumin consumption and increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF helps the brain form new connections and promote brain cell growth. This is good news for anyone interested in the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, as low BDNF levels have
even been linked to brain disorders including Alzheimer’s.
Mood
Finally, even if you’re not interested in the physical effects of turmeric on the body, some researchers have found an effect of turmeric on the mind. Turmeric’s compound curcumin may elevate mood and reduce symptoms of depression. In
one 6-week study, subjects with major depressive disorders took either curcumin, an antidepressant, or a combination of both. Curcumin and antidepressants had similar effects on the subjects, and the group given a combination of both noticed the most benefits.
Now, this article only examines the potential benefits of turmeric, but golden milk (if you look at our own ingredient list) includes other all-natural ingredients like ginger, black pepper, and coconuts (which makes our Turmeric Ginger Golden Milk Latte 100% vegan). Whether you decide to drink golden milk just to try something new or because you can’t resist its spicy aroma, we hope you get to feel good about what you’re putting in your body, too!
