Remember that yellow-coloured milk which your mother or grandmother made you gulp down every time you fell ill? We’re talking about haldi ka doodh, which BY THE WAY is now being sold as a fancy “Turmeric Latte” by Starbucks in the West.
Prepared with raw root turmeric, foamed nut milk, coconut, cinnamon powder and almonds, this new, hot beverage’s benefits are being credited to none other than the humble haldi. Something Indians have known for centuries, but oh well. This wonderous ingredient has always been known to have multiple medicinal properties. It’s not only a germ-fighting immunity booster, but its use is said to make skin glow. We’ve known it to be the perfect remedy for a bad bout of a cough or cold.
But, that’s nothing new. Allow us to tell you about haldi’s lesser known properties which’ll have you whipping up a home-made “turmeric latte” in no time.
1. Vitamin-rich: “Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C, E and D, turmeric has it all. It fulfils your body’s vitamin requirement while protecting it against germs,” explains Dr Suvarna Pathak, dietician and nutritionist at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai.
2. Rich in antioxidants: Curcumin found in turmeric is a strong antioxidant. It is the only spice that is loaded with this property and helps fight against free radical formation in the body. Free radicals are properties that destroy the healthy cells in the body and make it prone to diseases.
3. Anti-carcinogenic properties: Dr Suvarna says, “Turmeric has anti-carcinogenic properties that keep infections away from every cell of your body and not just the alimentary canal (the passage from where the food passes in the body). It protects your bones and muscles and is medically very beneficial.” It also has anti-inflammatory properties which keeps cancer cells from damaging DNA.
4. Purifies the blood and protects the liver: “It also acts like a blood thinner that cleanses the lymphatic system and rids the body’s internal system of impurities. It also helps detox the liver and protects it from infections,” adds Dr Suvarna.
5. Keeps the bones strong: Turmeric has calcium, which is necessary for healthy bones. It also lowers the loss of bone mass and protects us against diseases like osteoporosis.
6. Helps in weight reduction: Want to lose a few pounds? Try sipping on some warm turmeric milk. It has properties to break down the dietary fat content in your body and promotes weight loss.
Main image via Consciouscooking.com
