Jennifer Aniston has put a spotlight on the beverage she drinks every morning as part of her daily routine. Known for her iconic roles in Friends and We’re The Millers, the actress starts her day with a specific drink before hitting her workouts, adding an extra component when the temperature drops.
Speaking exclusively to People, she disclosed: “I drink ARMRA Colostrum first thing in the morning, with room temperature water and a whole lemon squeezed into it… [In the colder months] I’ll steep a little teaspoon of ginger, which is good for your digestion and your immune system, and then I’ll put a little drop of Manuka honey.”
Colostrum, a term perhaps familiar to new parents, is a nutrient-rich fluid produced by women and other mammals post-childbirth, vital for bolstering a newborn’s immune defence. Now, companies have developed powders and supplements aiming to extend these advantages to adults, including ‘ARMRA’, the American brand Aniston mentioned.
“[Human-produced] colostrum is high in protein and low in fat and sugar,” Cleveland Clinic explains. “It’s filled with white blood cells that produce antibodies. These antibodies strengthen your baby’s immune system, protecting him or her from infection.”
Several studies show promising signs that colostrum supplements could be beneficial for adults, with a significant 2015 study highlighting the potential for bovine colostrum to mitigate diseases. But research in this field is still ongoing.
At the time, the study authors wrote: “Since colostrum has several important nutritional constituents, well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with colostrum products should be conducted to widen its therapeutic use.
“The objectives of this review are to create awareness about the nutraceutical properties of colostrum and to discuss the various ongoing alternative treatments of colostrum and its active ingredients as well as to address colostrum’s future nutraceutical and therapeutic implications in humans.”
It’s also crucial to note that colostrum and typical breast milk are not exactly the same. Although the latter contains several important nutrients including vitamins including A, D and many variations of B, there is limited research on its effect among adults.
Helen Bell, a nutritionist at UK Care Guide, previously told the Mirror: “While it’s true that breast milk contains a blend of nutrients, enzymes, and antibodies, that are beneficial for babies, there’s limited research on its effects on adult health concerns such as nausea.
“Its beneficial properties are geared towards infants. There isn’t significant evidence for adults suggesting that breast milk would have the same health benefits, especially for conditions like nausea. If anything, reliance on anecdotal remedies like this could detract from seeking proven treatments, which are likely to have a better health impact.”