Turmeric Milk in Pregnancy – Benefits and Side-Effects
Is turmeric milk safe in pregnancy? Learn its health benefits, possible risks, and the right way to include it in your daily routine.
Medically Reviewed By
Megha Mukhija
(Paediatric Nutritionist)
Image Credit : AI Generated Image
Congratulations! You are pregnant. The pregnancy news must be slowly sinking in, but you must have already thought twice about your diet. Whatever you eat during pregnancy will affect your health and your baby’s health, and this often brings even everyday ingredients into question—including comforting choices like turmeric milk during pregnancy or enjoying golden milk in pregnancy. You might doubt even the healthy spices, which otherwise you’d have added generously to your vegetables and dals. Today, we will talk about one particular spice—turmeric—often called Indian saffron, which has a long history of medicinal use dating back nearly 4000 years and is “generally recognised as safe” (GRAS) as a food ingredient by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It offers a host of benefits to a pregnant woman, but high doses of it can harm the foetus. Read on to know whether turmeric is safe for pregnant women or not.
Nutritional Value of Turmeric
Turmeric consists of certain bioactive compounds, like curcumin, that give turmeric its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in essential minerals like manganese, potassium, and iron. Plus, it is an excellent source of vitamins like Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. Being rich in fibre also makes turmeric an extremely useful medicinal spice. And it offers innumerable health benefits, such as improving digestion and liver function, facilitating regular bowel movements, decreasing congestion, etc.
The following table presents a quantitative estimate of the nutritive values of 1 tsp of turmeric, ground (1):
| Nutrition | Values per teaspoon (grams) |
| Protein | 0.17 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.22 g |
| Carbohydrate | 1.43 g |
| Energy | 7.79 kcal |
| Sugar | 0.07 g |
| Fibre | 0.46 g |
| Calcium | 4.03 mg |
| Iron | 0.91 mg |
| Magnesium | 4.25 mg |
| Phosphorus | 5.9 mg |
| Potassium | 55.5 mg |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 0.57 mg |
| Folate | 0.86 mcg |
| Vitamin K | 0.29 mcg |
Source: URMC
Is It Good to Have Turmeric in Pregnancy?
Yes, absolutely! Turmeric is safe for pregnant women when taken in small amounts. It is advised to add it in moderate amounts only during pregnancy, like you would normally add in curries and other savoury dishes. Something pregnant women should particularly note is to avoid taking medicinal quantities of turmeric or curcumin in the form of capsules or supplements. Capsules or supplements contain high levels of curcumin that can disbalance the hormone estrogen levels in pregnant women and lead to uterine contractions or bleeding. Since little evidence is known about the use of turmeric in greater amounts than what is commonly found in food, it is best to exercise caution when using this spice during pregnancy.
What Is Turmeric Milk?
Turmeric milk, often called “golden milk,” is a warm drink made by mixing milk with turmeric and sometimes adding spices like black pepper, ginger, or cinnamon. It is traditionally consumed for its anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting benefits (2).
Is It Safe to Drink Turmeric Milk While Pregnant?
Turmeric, the golden spice, when taken with milk, is highly beneficial for health. It provides additional calcium to pregnant women, which is necessary for the growth and development of the skeletal system of the developing foetus. You can have turmeric milk during pregnancy as it offers many benefits. However, make sure that you drink it in moderate amounts, as too much of it can adversely affect the health of the foetus.
So, yes, drinking turmeric milk in pregnancy is beneficial for expectant moms – but yes, with caution!
Benefits of Having Turmeric Milk During Pregnancy
When consumed during pregnancy, turmeric milk can help combat changes like increased water retention and low immunity that occur in a pregnant woman’s body due to hormonal imbalances. It also strengthens a woman during pregnancy, as there is increased pressure on internal organs due to the growing foetus and expanding uterus. Thus, drinking turmeric milk makes pregnancy a comfortable experience by reducing nausea and discomfort.
The following is a list of health benefits conferred upon consumption of turmeric milk during pregnancy:
1. Provides Relief From Pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric provide much-needed relief to pregnant women. During pregnancy, women tend to have swollen feet, and they may also experience joint pain due to water retention and hormonal changes. Turmeric helps in healing symptomatic pain (3).
2. Helps Fight Infections and Common Colds
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help provide relief from colds and flu. Drinking warm turmeric milk is a quick home remedy for a sore throat and a cough with a common cold.
3. Strengthens the Immune System
Turmeric, being high in antioxidants, helps boost the immune system by removing free radicals and keeping mild infections at bay (4).
4. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Serum cholesterol levels tend to increase during pregnancy. The antilipidemic properties of turmeric keep a check on rising cholesterol levels (5). Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. It improves the function of the endothelium and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.
5. Improves the Health of the Skin
Not all pregnant women have a pregnancy glow; some women even experience a sudden acne outbreak during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester owing to hormonal changes. But including the golden spice in the pregnancy diet can help. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help reduce acne and eczema, and its blood-purifying properties give a glow to one’s skin.
6. Improves Sleep
A glass of warm turmeric milk is known to induce good sleep, eliminating the discomfort of pregnant women that deprives them of sound sleep.
7. Treats Constipation
Curcumin in turmeric is an ideal ingredient to relieve constipation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea caused by irritable bowel syndrome (6).
Side Effects of Drinking Turmeric Milk During Pregnancy
When consumed in excess amounts, turmeric may be harmful to the health of a pregnant woman and her baby. The following are the risks associated with it:
1. Miscarriage
Having turmeric in excess amounts during pregnancy may contract the smooth muscles, including the uterine muscles. And uterine contractions in the early stages of pregnancy may stimulate labour pain and lead to a miscarriage. Hence, turmeric should be consumed in moderate amounts. It should also not be consumed excessively towards full-term or when a woman is close to 37 weeks.
2. Birth Defects
Curcumin in large doses can lead to foetal defects and hamper foetal development. Since curcumin is a primary ingredient in turmeric, it may pose a risk to the developing foetus. So if you want to consume it, it is suggested that you speak to your doctor or a nutritionist.
3. Bleeding Disorders
Too much of turmeric can increase the chances of bleeding. It may also cause abnormal and excessive blood clotting, leading to further complications. Turmeric supplements can even cause early spotting after consumption.
4. Nausea and Uneasiness
During pregnancy, consuming turmeric in an excessive amount can lead to nausea, diarrhoea, heartburn, and indigestion.
How Much Turmeric Milk is Safe in Pregnancy?
Consuming up to one small cup (about 200–250 ml) of turmeric milk per day is generally considered safe during pregnancy, provided you use no more than a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder. Higher amounts or concentrated turmeric supplements may stimulate the uterus or cause digestive issues, so stick to culinary amounts used in food and drinks. Always check with your healthcare provider before adding it regularly to your routine.
Who Should Avoid Turmeric Milk During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women with a history of miscarriage, preterm labour, or uterine bleeding should avoid turmeric milk, as large amounts may have blood-thinning and uterus-stimulating effects. Additionally, those with iron-deficiency anaemia (turmeric can reduce iron absorption), gallbladder disease, or who are taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin or aspirin should skip it unless their doctor says otherwise. If you have any underlying health conditions or a high-risk pregnancy, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider first.
Benefits of Turmeric for Skin During Pregnancy
Turmeric milk is good for pregnancy. Drinking turmeric milk in pregnancy or putting turmeric paste on the face is an ancient practice to clear our skin problems and brighten it. Let’s see how turmeric is beneficial for the skin during pregnancy:
- Reduces Hyper-pigmentation: It is common knowledge in Indian households that turmeric is an anti-pigmentation ingredient. If you didn’t know, now you do. Turmeric prevents melanin production and brightens the skin.
- Treats Stretch Marks: Turmeric is an ideal ingredient for treating stretch marksa. You can make a paste of curd with a teaspoon of turmeric and apply it on the area having stretch marks. Leave it for around 15 minutes and wash it away.
- Cures Pregnancy Acne: If pregnancy has given you acne, then look no further. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties will cure acne.
FAQs
1. Can you drink turmeric tea while pregnant?
If plain turmeric milk sounds bland, then you can make it better by turning it into turmeric tea. However, it is important to be careful of the dose of turmeric you are having during your pregnancy, as too much of it will only impact you.
Boil milk with cardamom, ginger, black pepper, or any other pregnancy-safe spice you like and add a pinch of turmeric to it for health purposes. When it is boiled properly, add sugar or honey as per your choice and drink it warm.
2. Does turmeric cause weight loss in pregnancy?
A recent study in 2019 reported that curcumin intake was associated with reduced body weight. However, it is important to consume turmeric in small quantities during pregnancy and after consulting your doctor for this purpose.
3. Can turmeric prevent pregnancy?
Curcumin, the turmeric plant’s main ingredient, has the potential to reduce endometrial cell development and modify oestrogen sensitivity. Although this impact helps alleviate endometriosis, it might interfere with an embryo’s ability to implant. Its ability to kill cancer cells gives it a side effect that could disrupt early embryonic development. Turmeric may perhaps prevent pregnancy, although more research is needed.
4. Can you drink turmeric milk for treating cold during pregnancy?
Yes, absolutely; you can have haldi milk during pregnancy to get relief from the cold. As per Ayurvedic experts, you can boil milk with one teaspoon of turmeric to relieve cough with expectoration of mucous. Be mindful of the dose of turmeric you are having during pregnancy, and if you have doubts, do not hesitate to consult your doctor about this.
5. Does turmeric milk interact with prenatal vitamins or pregnancy hormones?
Turmeric may reduce iron absorption from food or prenatal vitamins if consumed at the same time, which is a concern for pregnant women already at risk of anaemia. Additionally, curcumin can influence estrogen metabolism, though typical amounts in turmeric milk are unlikely to significantly alter pregnancy hormone levels. To be safe, drink turmeric milk at least two hours apart from your prenatal vitamins and inform your healthcare provider if you have hormone-sensitive conditions.
Turmeric milk in pregnancy first, second and third trimesters certainly has health benefits for pregnant women. However, as pregnancy is a state of easy vulnerability to infections and teratogenicity, it is suggested that pregnant ladies take utmost care and seek regular medical advice before consuming any foods (including herbs and spices), other store-bought goods, or medications.
Also Read:
Milk during Pregnancy
Buttermilk while Pregnant
Almond Milk in Pregnancy
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