8 Outstanding Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses You Didn’t Know

Molasses is a dense viscous sweetener that is obtained as a byproduct of the sugar-making process.

In the process of producing the sweetener, first, the sugar cane or sugar beets are crushed and the juice extracted.

The extracted juice is then boiled to remove water forming sugar crystals. Molasses is the dense viscous brown syrup left after the sugar has been removed from the juice.

 

This process is repeated several times depending on the type of molasses to be produced.

Different Types of Molasses

There are different types of molasses that vary in color, flavor, consistency and sugar content.

Blackstrap molasses

It is obtained from raw sugar production and is produced after the third boiling. It is the darkest and thickest and also has a bitter taste.

It is the most concentrated as it contains all the minerals and nutrients absorbed by the plant. For this reason, it is considered to be very healthy for consumption.

Light Molasses

This type of molasses is obtained from the first boiling of sugar cane or sugar beets. It has a light color and a sweet taste and is commonly used in baking.

Dark Molasses

This type of molasses is gotten from the second boiling. It is thicker than the light molasses, darker and less sweet. It can also be used in baking, however, it has a more distinct flavor and color.

Un-Sulfured and Sulfured

Molasses can also be labeled as “sulfured or “unsulfured”. Those labeled “sulfured” has sulfur dioxide added to it. This sulfur dioxide acts as a preservative and prevents spoilage.

Those labeled “unsulfured” does not need sulfur and retains its flavor and.

However, sulfured varieties tend to be less sweet than the unsulfured ones.

Hydrol Molasses

This type of molasses is obtained from starch hydrolysis.

Nutritional Value of Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses are rich in minerals and vitamins.

Particularly, they are rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B6, copper and selenium (an important component of antioxidant enzyme).  Additionally, it is free of fat and cholesterol and contains a minute amount of sodium which is beneficial for hypertensive patients.

It is worthy of note that, blackstrap molasses contains a high amount of sugar. Excessive sugar can be harmful to health.

Excess sugar intake is associated with some of the world’s biggest health issues like type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease (1, 2, 3).

However, if you have a sweet tooth, molasses may be a preferable choice to refined sugar.

Furthermore, ensure you take molasses in moderation, not more than 1 tablespoon a day. Or, you can take it as a supplement by mixing 1 to 2 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses in a cup of warm water and drink it.

Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

1. Prevents Anemia

Iron-deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia characterized by weakness, tiredness, headache, shortness of breath and dizziness.

Blackstrap molasses being a rich iron source helps increase the production of red blood cells and deliver oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

A tablespoon of blackstrap molasses provides approximately 15 percent of your daily iron need.

For individuals suffering from iron-deficiency anemia, one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses mix in a cup of hot water or milk is recommended.

2. Improves Heart Health

Blackstrap molasses also has some potential heart health benefits. It can provide a solution to control palpitations, lower high cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure and improve your overall heart condition.

Also, being a rich source of potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium, it helps promote normal blood pressure and maintain heart health (4).

According to the American Heart Association diet that includes potassium is important in counteracting the effects of sodium a huge contributor to hypertension (5).

What’s more, magnesium and calcium help in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure; this is according to a 2009 research (6)

Also, vitamin B6 is also good for heart health, as it helps combat blood clotting thus reducing the risk of strokes and other heart conditions.

3. Reduces Menstrual Problems

Molasses have been used as a remedy for menstruation-related problems a condition that affects three out of four women.

Being a rich source of magnesium and calcium, molasses helps prevent blood clotting and soothe the muscles of the uterine walls. These effects, in turn, alleviate menstrual cramps and maintain uterine muscle health.

Moreover, the iron in it helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia due to blood loss, which is common in women who have issues with their menstrual periods.

For quick relieve, a teaspoon of molasses mixed in a cup of warm water is recommended for your daily consumption.

4. Combats Stress

Stress has been implicated in chronic diseases (7).

Blackstrap molasses tea can ease stress and improve your mood. Being high in vitamin B, blackstrap molasses promotes the proper functioning of your brain and nervous system as well as help stimulate relaxation and combat stress and fatigue.

Importantly, the vitamin B6 in blackstrap molasses raises serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that influences the activities of the brain cells with regards to sleep, mood, learning, and memory.

According to research, lack of serotonin is associated with depression, anxiety, panic, compulsive behavior and anger problems (8)

Also, a 2004 study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics reveals that low levels of vitamin B6 are associated with depression, as the vitamin is a component of the tryptophan-serotonin pathway (9).

Furthermore, calcium and magnesium have also been used to fight stress and anxiety.

So, when next you are under stress, you can drink blackstrap molasses tea by mixing a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses in a glass of milk.

5. Improves Sleep

Blackstrap molasses can also be effective when you are dealing with a sleeping disorder (insomnia).

Being a rich source of calcium, it helps the brain utilize the amino acid tryptophan. This essential amino acid subsequently helps in the production of sleep-inducing melatonin.

Also, magnesium works as a natural sedative. By providing all these nutrients, blackstrap molasses helps relieve the sleeping disorder

6. Prevents Cancer

Blackstrap molasses can also prove effective in preventing and treating different types of cancer.

Being rich in the mineral selenium, it is very crucial in cell defense against cancer.

Selenium is a vital component of the antioxidant enzyme that helps mop up free radicals generated by your body.

It is worthy of note that free radicals are one of the primary causes of cancer as they cause damage to major components of the cells including cell membranes, protein, and DNA.

Selenium can also prove effective against metal toxicity like mercury, cadmium, and silver.

7. Maintains Bone Health

Blackstrap molasses are a rich calcium source that helps in the formation and maintenance of strong and healthy bones (10).

Calcium deficiency can lead to low bone density and early bone loss (10).

It is also a good source of copper, which plays a vital role in improving bone health, healing of fractured bones, and reducing the risk of brittle and weak bones (11).

Furthermore, the magnesium in blackstrap molasses stimulates calcium re-uptake that can help in maintaining strong bones.

It also supports a proper acid-alkaline balance in the body. This is extremely beneficial for bone health.

Taking 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses will prove you with over 10 percent of your daily calcium requirements.

8. Maintains Hair Health

Iron deficiency can lead to hair loss. Blackstrap molasses can provide you with a sufficient amount of iron that can maintain hair health.

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science reveals that iron plays an essential role in hair loss especially in premenopausal female pattern hair loss (12).

Furthermore, it contains magnesium which helps prevent nail breakage and hair loss.

What’s more, the copper in blackstrap molasses helps rebuild the skin structure that supports healthy hair.

The copper in it is an important trace mineral whose peptides help rebuild the skin structure that supports healthy hair.