Golden Calm: Effect of Curcumin-Enriched Turmeric Milk on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among College Students

Krishnaja Krishnakumar, Mercy Devapriya, Ramai P, Sujatha G

Abstract: Depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly common among college students due to academic, social, and personal pressures. Curcumin, a bioactive compound in turmeric, possesses neuroprotective and mood-enhancing properties. This study evaluated the effect of curcumin-enriched turmeric milk on depression, anxiety, and stress among college students residing in a girls' hostel. A pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was adopted, involving 60 female B.Sc. Nursing students from Sri Siddhartha College of Nursing Girls Hostel, Tumkur, selected through convenient sampling. After ethical clearance (IEC No: SSMC/MED/IEC-003/Feb-2025), participants consumed 200 ml of warm turmeric milk fortified with 500 mg of curcumin daily for 21 days. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was administered before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with paired t-test applied to compare pre- and post-test scores. Mean pre-test scores for depression (16.8 ± 4.1), anxiety (14.2 ± 3.8), and stress (20.3 ± 5.2) significantly reduced to 10.5 ± 3.9, 8.3 ± 3.1, and 13.6 ± 4.7 respectively (p < 0.001). Participants also reported improved sleep, reduced fatigue, and enhanced mood stability. Thus, daily intake of curcumin-enriched turmeric milk effectively alleviated depression, anxiety, and stress, representing a simple, low-cost, and culturally acceptable approach to promote mental well-being among students.

Keywords: Turmeric milk, depression, anxiety, stress, DASS-21

How to Cite?: Krishnaja Krishnakumar, Mercy Devapriya, Ramai P, Sujatha G, "Golden Calm: Effect of Curcumin-Enriched Turmeric Milk on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among College Students", Volume 14 Issue 10, October 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 998-1000, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251019201657, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251019201657