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The Science Behind Why Turmeric Stains Everything By Alexandra Fay Dec. 13, 2025 12:00 pm EST

The other day I made golden milk , something I've been trying to add into my daily wellness routine thanks to turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. It's comforting in that soft, glowy way with warm milk, turmeric, (sometimes) cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. It was a mug of sunshine until a splash hit my white T-shirt and bloomed into a yellow patch that refused to leave. Really, why does turmeric stain like this? The answer comes from science.

Turmeric contains curcumin , the pigment responsible for turmeric's color and staining power. Curcumin molecules bind to the fibers in clothes, instantly transferring their vivid color; and because turmeric

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