Between colostrum smoothies , green powders , and " sleepy girl mocktails ," there's no shortage of functional beverages to choose (erm, sip) from these days. But while many of these are modern day creations, another popular option, golden milk, has been around for centuries. The key ingredient is turmeric, which gives the drink its signature yellow hue; it's also commonly known as turmeric milk.

You've likely seen golden milk on the menu at trendy cafes and coffee shops—but what's so special about this beverage? Is it actually good for you, or are the purported benefits more social media hype than anything else? Keep reading for everything you need to know about golden milk benefits, plus how to whip up your own mug of it at home. Gowri Reddy Rocco , MD, is a double-board certified family medicine and regenerative, anti-aging, and functional medicine physician. Shivani Amin , MD, is a functional medicine physician based in Los Angeles.

What Is Golden Milk? Golden milk has long been used as a healing beverage known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, says Gowri Reddy Rocco, MD, a functional medicine physician. Called "haldi doodh" in Hindi, it's a traditional Indian drink with roots in Ayurvedic medicine , adds functional medicine physician Shivani Amin, MD. It's typically made with turmeric — a yellow-orange spice known for its healing properties — cinnamon, milk, ginger, and sometimes black pepper or honey, she says.

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