The Health Benefits and Recipe of Turmeric Coffee
Turmeric coffee, also known as golden milk
latte, is the latest word in morning beverages. But can this trendy and
admittedly delicious drink offer any real benefits? Those who drink it
every morning swear by the energizing potential of turmeric coffee,
whereas nutrition experts state that coffee and turmeric may actually
work better together and enhance each other’s beneficial effects.
Find out why you should start adding
turmeric to your morning cup of coffee, too.
What is turmeric coffee?
Turmeric Coffee latte
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Adding turmeric to hot drinks is not a new invention. For ages, turmeric
was used all across Asia, and particularly in India, to prepare teas
and herbal medicine concoctions. And just recently, the rest of the
world also discovered these immune-boosting, energizing, and delicious
drinks.
Certainly, the most indulgent version of these hot drinks is golden
milk, a flavorful and aromatic mixture of turmeric, ginger, and other
spices mixed with milk and a dash of honey or maple syrup. Now imagine
mixing this sweet, creamy, and aromatic drink with a shot of espresso,
creating a truly complex and delightful flavor.
But the pleasant taste of the golden milk latte is just one reason to
order this drink in a coffee shop, or prepare it at home. A golden latte
packs a punch in the nutrition department too - both turmeric and
coffee contain several helpful nutrients that offer a range of health
benefits, on which we elaborate below. Finally, a morning drink that’s
both tasty and healthy!
The Health Benefits of the Golden Latte
As you’d expect, the two key ingredients in a golden latte are coffee
and turmeric. The drink also contains milk and other spices, such as
cinnamon, ginger, and honey, but these play a more supportive role. In
order to understand how turmeric coffee can benefit your body, let’s
remind you of the positive health effects of both coffee and turmeric:
The Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the spices with the most scientific studies backing
its effectiveness. Several scientific articles have shown it to be a
powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient, all thanks to the
active ingredient in turmeric called curcumin.
Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant. Like all antioxidants, it helps
prevent free radical damage to the DNA. Curcumin is also associated with
the following highly promising health benefits:
Reduces chronic inflammation, such as that caused by arthritis
Helps people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar
Improves digestion and aids heartburn
May help prevent cancer
Lowers the risk of heart disease
Can help lift your mood and improve brain function
Improved skin health, hydration, and plumpness.
Overall, studies show that the best way to take turmeric is through
foods. Adding turmeric to foods and drinks that contain some fats is
especially beneficial because the fats help deliver and absorb curcumin.
The Health Benefits of Coffee
Caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee, needs no introduction. But
the majority of people are only aware of caffeine’s ability to energize
and keep you awake. In reality, however, caffeine is also a potent
antioxidant, just like curcumin. In fact, the antioxidant content of
coffee is more concentrated than many fruit and vegetables.
Like curcumin, the consumption of caffeine
is associated with improved skin elasticity, better resistance to heart
disease and certain cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. In
addition, caffeine improves liver and brain function and protects the
body from many other degenerative diseases.
Apart from caffeine, coffee is also rich in flavonoid antioxidants and
chlorogenic acid (CGA). The latter in particular boasts of having
anti-cancer properties. Despite coffee's bad rep, recent studies have
found that the antioxidants present in coffee could actually have a
beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, too, capable of preventing
stroke in women if consumed regularly.
Lastly, don’t forget that coffee by itself (without the addition of
sweeteners and milk) is a low-calorie drink. Given the multitude of
antioxidants it contains, it’s a great choice of drink for those who
intend to lose weight.
Why You Should Consider Mixing Turmeric and Coffee
While drinking coffee and eating turmeric separately is certainly
beneficial, it seems that combining the two in a delicious latte may
actually make curcumin’s beneficial effects stronger according to a 2020
study. Even though the high acidity of coffee itself isn’t beneficial
for the absorption of curcumin according to the study, the fats present
in milk help increase the pH level of coffee and make our body absorb
more curcumin.
This is exactly why it’s important to opt
for whole milk and not low-fat milk when preparing turmeric coffee, as
fats are the compound that will help enhance turmeric’s
anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects. You can even consider
adding ½ teaspoon coconut oil to your coffee if you only have low-fat
milk or you’re using plant milk.
Furthermore, the potent antioxidant and phytonutrient content of both
turmeric and coffee will help you get more antioxidants and other
bioactive compounds with your morning drink. It’s important to note that
turmeric and coffee contain different types of antioxidants, too, and
their combination will ensure that you’re experiencing more benefits
than drinking either ingredient alone.
Ready to give turmeric coffee a go? It's super easy to make at home,
just follow the recipe below. Not a fan of coffee? No worries, you can
still get your daily dose of curcumin by drinking golden milk.
How to Make Turmeric Coffee
- 1 cup (8 oz/ 225 ml brewed coffee)
- ½ cup dairy or plant milk
- 1 tsp ground turmeric powder
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- A pinch of black pepper
Directions
1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a simmer, constantly moving the mixture with a whisk.
3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. The longer you simmer the mixture, the spicier it will become.
4. Strain and pour the mixture into a cup. Enjoy warm.