Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

The word 'molasses' is derived from the Latin melaceres, which means honey-like. Molasses is a liquid byproduct of sugarcane, obtained from the process of refining sugarcane into table sugar. Blackstrap molasses is the more concentrated byproduct, obtained from the 3rd boiling of the sugarcane syrup, after the sucrose in the sugar gets crystallized. It has been used since the 19th century as a popular and affordable sweetener. The use of blackstrap molasses was popularized during the health food movement in the mid-20th century. The largest producers of molasses are India, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Brazil and the United States.

Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is a healthy sweetener, full of nutritional value, unlike refined white sugar or artificial sweeteners like saccharine. Just two teaspoons contain over 10% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, potassium and other valuable minerals and nutrients.

Calcium: Calcium is one of the important minerals required by our body. It is needed for forming and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses meets 11.8% of our daily need for calcium.

Magnesium: It is essential not only for bones and cell energy production, but is also needed for regulating calcium levels. It controls the flow of calcium in nerve cells. Two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses daily provides 7.3% value for magnesium.

Copper: Copper is essential for iron utilization, production of hair and skin pigments known as melanin, free radical elimination, development of bone tissue, controlling good and bad cholesterol and other physiological processes in the body. Your breakfast cereal or tea, sweetened with two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses syrup will provide 14.0% of the daily recommended value for copper.

Manganese: Manganese protects the body against damage from free radicals. It helps in the production of protein and carbohydrates and is important for a healthy nervous system. Just two teaspoons of the syrup will supply 18.0% of the day's needs for manganese.

Iron: Two teaspoons of this syrup will supply you 13.3% of the daily recommended value for iron, replenishing your iron stores. Iron is essential for energy production and metabolism. Blackstrap molasses provides more iron and less calories and is especially useful for growing children and lactating women, as they are more prone to iron deficiency.

Potassium: It is important for the smooth functioning of the muscle and the nervous system. It helps to maintain the body's electrolyte and pH balance. Two teaspoons daily will provide you with 9.7% recommended value of potassium.

In addition to the above, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium. It has 16 calories, per teaspoon, which is the same as that of sugar.

Curative Powers of Blackstrap Molasses

It has been known to help in curing fibroid, anemia, anxiety, constipation, arthritic pain, heart palpitations, etc. It also helps to turn gray hair back to its original color.

Culinary Uses of Blackstrap Molasses

• It can be added as a sweetener to all breakfast cereals, smoothies, milk, tea or coffee and even desserts.
• It imparts a distinctive flavor to cookies and cakes.
• Baste chicken or turkey with molasses, to give it a rich color and taste.

The blackstrap molasses is inexpensive, tasty and readily available. However, care should be taken to use the non-sulfured variety, as organic foods have much more nutritive value.