Turmeric is hailed as a common medicinal spice, part of the ginger family, and can be used to aid the quality of sleep whilst also lowering anxiety levels, improving mood, and promoting relaxation.
Most people find success taking turmeric either in the morning to start their day, or at night before bed to combat inflammation from the day's activities. We also recommend that you take turmeric with a meal since curcumin absorption increases when paired with healthy fats.
While you can enjoy turmeric milk any time of the day, most suggest drinking it about an hour before bedtime to get the full effects of its relaxing, soothing properties.
Although known mostly for its anti-inflammatory effects, curcumin clearly has value for positively impacting stress/anxiety and sleep due at least in part to its ability to increase serotonin levels.
Curcumin and Inflammation
Taking turmeric before bed can lower the levels of inflammatory markers in your body so that you can get a better night's sleep. The anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric will also benefit you in a multitude of other ways.
What time should I take my turmeric? Turmeric should be taken with meals to help with absorption. It's also a good idea to divide it into two doses taken 8 to 12 hours apart. This will help increase absorption and keep levels steady in the body.
Turmeric is free of caffeine. However, turmeric is often sold in herbal blends, which may contain other caffeinated ingredients.
Turmeric usually doesn't cause serious side effects. Some people can experience mild side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. These side effects are more common at higher doses.
They'll Give You A Boost Without Caffeine
A fresh turmeric shot contains the right amount of anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. This means that you are detoxing before breakfast, making it easier for your system to digest your breakfast while giving you an instant energy boost.
Helps with sleep and anxiety
However, do not despair just yet! All you need is a warm glass of turmeric milk before you go to bed and you will sleep like a baby. Apart from tasting delicious, the amino acids in the beverage help you get along and a well-rested bout of sleep.
Drinking a glass of warm turmeric milk before bedtime can help in getting you a good night's sleep. If you are an insomniac or wake up several times at night, then you must include golden milk in your routine. Turmeric milk fastens the recovery rate and also heals any internal injury or swelling.
High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect; if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding. People with liver or bile duct problems should not take turmeric supplements, as they can increase bile production.
A warm glass of turmeric water at night can help your body to fight inflammation. Vidhi says, “The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help in fighting the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory disorder.” Turmeric water also eases the pain in the joints of the elderly.
Turmeric is also a uterine stimulant, so it should not be used during pregnancy as it could cause contractions. Others who should avoid turmeric include: Breastfeeding mothers (no data exists on its safety in nursing mothers or infants))
Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, dandelion, danshen, evening primrose, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, and willow.
Certain foods and nutrients may help support your body in reducing anxiety and improving how your body handles stress. The spices saffron and turmeric may reduce both depression and anxiety.
The best advice that can be given when timing your turmeric intake is to aim for an afternoon or evening intake. The only reason for this is that turmeric is fat-soluble.
According to a study conducted at the Tufts University, curcumin can actually suppress fat tissue growth. Another way in which turmeric helps in losing weight by regulating sugar levels and further preventing insulin resistance. This results in excess fat that is not retained in the body.
“It's safe to take up to 8 grams per day, but my recommendation would be somewhere on the lighter side: 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day for the general population,” says Hopsecger. For optimal absorption, try taking with heart-healthy fats like oils, avocado, nuts and seeds, she adds.
Turmeric improves digestion by influencing the gallbladder to produce bile and other digestive enzymes that are necessary for proper digestion. Starting your day with a glass of turmeric water prepares your digestive system for the rest of the day.
How Much Turmeric Should I Take A Day? I recommend a quarter teaspoon of turmeric daily. Combining this with just a pinch of black pepper boosts the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%.