Turmeric Milk is an age-old healthful Indian drink prepared with milk, turmeric powder, and a pinch of black pepper. It is also known as ‘Golden Milk’. In many countries, but particularly in India, turmeric milk (or haldi milk) is a popular drink among all age groups. It is taken for both medicinal properties and taste. But is it safe to have turmeric milk during pregnancy?
What are the various benefits and risks associated with turmeric milk? How much haldi doodh should you drink? If you find yourself asking these questions, the following article will enlighten you about everything you need to know about turmeric milk during pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Take Turmeric During Pregnancy?
People have utilized turmeric for thousands of years for both its taste and its therapeutic benefits. The root of turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties1. Small doses of turmeric are safe to ingest during pregnancy. Turmeric, whether fresh or dried, is safe for pregnant women to eat in small amounts2.
Related Reading: Drinking Saffron Milk During Pregnancy
Supplements or medical doses of this spice should be avoided by expectant mothers. This comprises pills or supplements that contain the active component of turmeric – curcumin. The curcumin content of culinary turmeric powder is lower than that of curcumin pills.
Women who are pregnant should avoid taking too much curcumin because it may cause an increase in estrogen levels, which could result in preterm contractions or bleeding3. It’s possible that these consequences might be enough to cause a miscarriage or early labor.
Is It Safe To Drink Turmeric (Haldi) Milk During Pregnancy?
How much turmeric milk you consume while pregnant will determine how safe it is. When you ask “how much turmeric is safe during pregnancy”, the answer is a pinch or two. There’s no harm in drinking a glass of warm milk with a pinch of turmeric in it once every few days.
Turmeric is already in many of the Indian dishes you eat on a regular basis, so you don’t need to add more.
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Moderate consumption of turmeric milk can aid pregnant women in combating hormonally induced changes such as increased water retention and lowered immunity.
During pregnancy, when the baby is growing and the uterus is growing, there is more pressure on the organs inside the body. Turmeric milk can help a woman feel stronger. Don’t settle for “herbal” turmeric powder; instead, opt for organic turmeric powder.
Related Reading: Mustard (Sarson) During Pregnancy: Health Benefits and Safety
Nutritional Benefits Of Haldi
Haldi, or turmeric, is a rich source of various nutrients that would be of the utmost use to pregnant women. One tablespoon of turmeric contains about 29 calories. The same quantity contains 2.1 grams of fiber.
It also contains 0.91 grams of protein and 6.13 grams of carbohydrates. It also contains 0.31 grams of fat and 0.3 grams of sugar. The above are just a few of the nutrients turmeric can provide.
Turmeric additionally provides 26% of the recommended daily manganese amount. It manages 16% of your daily iron needs. It provides 3% of your daily vitamin C and 5% of your daily potassium needs.
As such, there are many benefits to having turmeric milk during pregnancy, especially once you consider the nutritional benefits added by milk.
Benefits Of Turmeric (Haldi) Milk During Pregnancy
Due to the lack of research on curcumin and pregnancy, doctors tell women who are pregnant not to take medical amounts of turmeric. However, the small amounts contained in foods and beverages like turmeric milk may have certain health advantages.
Turmeric, also known as the “golden spice,” is extremely healthy when combined with milk. In particular, it helps pregnant women get the extra calcium they need for their unborn child’s skeletal development. Consuming moderate quantities turmeric milk during pregnancy is safe and has many health benefits.
Following are some of the top benefits of turmeric milk during pregnancy.
1. Anti-inflammatory properties
Turmeric is full of anti-inflammatory properties, which becomes especially relevant during such a vulnerable time as pregnancy. Your body is prone to inflammation, which can lead to a wide range of pregnancy complications.
Inflammation can lead to issues like problems with fetal growth and development, and preeclampsia. It helps prevent preeclampsia by reducing your systolic blood pressure as well as proteinuria.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are also linked to increased live births and fetal weight and reduced fetal resorption rate.
2. Wards off depression
Postpartum depression and depression during pregnancy are both mental illnesses that have long affected women. It can have long-lasting effects on the mental health of the mother, the development of the fetus, and the relationship between mother and child.
There are no sure ways to prevent depression. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk. Turmeric can help to ward off depression4. Low-fat milk is also said to help to alleviate depression. Consuming turmeric milk during pregnancy can help you avoid depression.
3. Prevents Constipation
Pregnancy can bring with it a litany of digestive issues. One of the more persisting ones is constipation, which can cause a lot of discomforts and maybe even pain. Milk helps to reduce the odds of constipation if you are not lactose intolerant.
Turmeric is a natural laxative5. Turmeric is a rich source of digestive fiber. Fibre aids in the digestion process. It allows for a smoother bowel movement and helps prevent constipation.
Related Reading: 13 Natural Laxatives For Pregnancy That Really Work
4. Good for oral health
Gingivitis is a common problem during pregnancy. It causes inflammation and bleeding of the gums. The condition is so ubiquitous that it is estimated that 30-100% of women face it at some point during pregnancy6.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric come into play here. It can help reduce the risk of developing gingivitis. Turmeric milk is a non-acidic drink that helps to ease gum issues. Tackling oral health during pregnancy is important for a pregnancy to be carried full term.
5. Helps with joint pains
Very few pregnant women are strangers to the aches and pains that frequently come as part and parcel of pregnancy. Joint pain is something that you may be facing already. Joint pain is usually caused by sudden weight gain during pregnancy; it puts too much of a strain on the joints.
However, it could also be due to a condition, such as inflammatory arthritis. In such a case, turmeric will be beneficial for you. Its anti-inflammatory properties will reduce the swelling and pain in your joints, and even provide relief for other aches and pains.
6. Better immunity
Turmeric is a rich source of antioxidants. Thus, drinking turmeric milk during pregnancy will give your immune system a boost, and helps to prevent small infections.
This is very useful during pregnancy, as it is a time in which you are a lot more prone to contracting infections. Additionally, these infections not only harm you but pose a risk to the fetus.
Related Reading: 11 Simple Ways To Boost Immunity During Pregnancy
Precautions And Risks Of Haldi Milk During Pregnancy
Although there are numerous benefits to be had from having a glass of turmeric milk every now and then, there are also potential side effects of turmeric milk during pregnancy. They are:
1. Miscarriage
As already mentioned above, excessive consumption of turmeric may lead to miscarriage or preterm labor. This is because turmeric could cause uterine contractions. However, it is fine to have a little bit of turmeric milk during pregnancy for the baby. Just ensure you do not overdo it.
2. Digestive and related issues
Turmeric is a rich source of fiber. This is a good thing if you are facing issues like constipation. However, if you consume too much of it, it can lead to diarrhea, indigestion, etc.
3. Nausea
Pregnancy is already fraught with problems like morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Unfortunately, having turmeric milk during pregnancy can potentially increase this issue.
Thus, turmeric milk does pose some risks to pregnant women. Drinking it every now and then will not hurt, but moderation is key. That is the main precaution you can take to prevent the possible side effects of turmeric milk during pregnancy: restrict yourself to small amounts of turmeric only. Do not go overboard.
Furthermore, you can also ensure that the turmeric you use was organically grown and properly stored. The side effects of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, as well as potential infections from improper storage, can be dangerous, especially during pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Drink Turmeric Tea During Pregnancy?
While consuming turmeric in small quantities should not cause an issue, it is generally considered inadvisable for pregnant women to drink turmeric tea. This is because turmeric tea contains large amounts of turmeric, seeing as it is the primary ingredient. Excessive amounts of turmeric can lead to complications such as preterm labor and miscarriage as it acts as a uterine stimulant and can induce contractions.
Related Reading: 10 Teas That Are Best Avoided During Pregnancy
Conclusion
If you are wondering whether it is safe to drink turmeric milk during pregnancy, you are not the only one. Haldi milk is a well-known drink that is commonly consumed in Indian households. It is a delicious and nutritional drink that will provide many benefits.
However, it is important to remember that the rules change when you are pregnant. Large amounts of turmeric can be detrimental to the pregnancy. It can lead to side effects such as preterm labor and pregnancy complications.
Thus, if you do decide to include turmeric milk in your diet, make sure you only take moderate amounts. A glass every other day would be enough. If you only have the recommended amount of turmeric, it is perfectly fine to have turmeric milk during pregnancy.