The growing trend of swapping coffee for healthier alternatives has led to the rise of golden turmeric milk. This traditional Indian drink, known as haldi doodh, has been used for generations as a cold remedy and is now gaining popularity for its cozy warmth and health benefits. The beverage is made with milk, spices, and turmeric, which contains the bioactive compound curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
However, curcumin is notoriously difficult to extract from turmeric, requiring complex extraction techniques that can be time-consuming and energy-intensive. To address this, scientists from the American Chemical Society set out to create an instant version of golden turmeric milk that could be stored in plant-based milk and maintain its health benefits with an extended shelf life.
The researchers achieved this by adding turmeric powder to an alkaline solution, which made the curcumin more soluble and easier to extract. The solution was then added to soy milk, chosen for its high amino acid content, and the pH was brought down to neutral. To create an instant powder, the water was removed from the solution through a freeze-drying process.
This method was found to be the most effective way to extract curcumin from turmeric and also allowed the scientists to encapsulate the curcumin in oil droplets within the soy milk, making it easier for the body to digest and absorb its benefits.
The researchers, who used soy milk in their experiment, believe that the same method could be applied to other plant-based milks and potentially other plant compounds, such as blueberries, which are rich in anthocyanins.
“When we use the same method, within around a minute we can extract the polyphenols,” said researcher Hualu Zhou, Ph.D. “We want to try and use it to upcycle by-products and reduce the food waste from fruit and vegetable farming here in Georgia.”
While more research is needed before this instant, plant-based golden turmeric milk is available on shelves, the researchers’ findings are promising, and the taste is just as delicious.
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