The health benefits of molasses include relief from menstruation-related problems, obesity, diabetes, stress, cancer, enlarged prostate, acne, and other skin disorders. It also provides relief from constipation, headaches, and anemia. It helps to improve bone and hair health, maintain electrolyte balance, sexual health, the functioning of the nervous system, and speeds wound healing.
It also helps strengthen the immune system, maintain healthy levels of hemoglobin, and improve the formation of new cells in the body.
What is Molasses?
Molasses is a by-product obtained from the processing of sugar cane and sugar beet into table sugar. It derives its name from the Latin word for honey, mel. Its viscosity and thick texture gave rise to the famous designation of something or someone being “slow as molasses” for any slow-moving thing. Along with its usage as a sweetener in food products, it also offers health benefits and is used for treating a wide range of disorders.
It is typically a thick syrup or treacle and comes in a variety of forms, depending on what substance is used to extract the sugar from. Sugarcane and sugar beets tend to produce thicker molasses, although sugar beet molasses has a strong, foul taste, and is usually not considered palatable for human consumption. You can also make it at home.
Historically, molasses was produced in the Caribbean, where the cultivation of sugarcane and sugar beet was the highest. From there, it was imported to the United States during the early 20th century. Today, it is produced on a large scale in Thailand, India, Taiwan, Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States.
Types of Molasses
Molasses comes in three varieties – light, dark, and blackstrap – all of which come from different foods processed into sugar. The nutritional content and quality of molasses depend on the method involved in its refining process, the ripeness of the plant from which it is extracted, and the quantity of sugar that is extracted.
Blackstrap Molasses: This is the type of organic molasses that we produce. It is obtained from raw cane sugar and canned sugar refining. It is also known as final molasses in cane mills and refinery molasses in a refinery setting.
Cane Molasses: This is a by-product of the refining of sugar from sugar cane juice and beet molasses is a by-product of the extraction of sucrose from sugar beets.
Sulfured Molasses: Molasses is also referred to as sulfured molasses if it has been extracted from young sugarcane and treated with sulfur dioxide for preservation.
Unsulfured molasses: Molasses extracted from ripe sugarcane does not need sulfur and retains its rich and light flavor. This variety is referred to as unsulfured molasses.
Hydrol: Molasses obtained from starch hydrolysis is called a hydrol.
Other: Other types of molasses include pomegranate molasses that are nutritious and made from pomegranate fruit.
What does Molasses taste like?
Light molasses has a sweet or mild taste, while dark molasses is richer and full-bodied, almost like saccharine at times, which is why it’s used to flavor sweet desserts and dishes. Blackstrap molasses tends to be bitter and unpleasant to eat alone by itself.
Nutritional Value of Molasses
Molasses contains a number of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorus, chromium, cobalt, and sodium. It is a good source of energy and carbohydrates and it contains sugars as well. In addition to this, it offers various vitamins such as niacin (vitamin B-3), vitamin B-6, thiamine, and riboflavin. It is very low in both fat and fiber.
Health Benefits of Molasses
Molasses is very healthy for you, primarily because of its dense nutritional content. It can do everything from reducing stress and easing indigestion to increasing blood circulation and building stronger bones. A single tablespoon is also high in protein and provides a burst of sugar and carbohydrates.
Antioxidant Properties
Research conducted by Katherine M. Phillips, Biochemistry Department, Virginia Tech, USA, on the antioxidant content of sugar alternatives shows that blackstrap molasses contains the highest amount of antioxidants as compared to refined sugar, corn syrup, raw cane sugar, and other sweeteners. These antioxidants protect the body against the oxidative damage associated with cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and degenerative diseases. This makes it a much better alternative to refined sugar.
Prevents Menstrual Cramps
Molasses is a good source of iron and is very effective for menstruating women who are at major risk of iron deficiency due to blood loss. With no fat and very few calories, it is a better alternative for contributing iron to the body as compared to other fatty sources like red meat.
A study published in the Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association states that iron helps to prevent disorders like menorrhagia, which causes excessive blood flow for a longer duration during menstruation. The minerals such as magnesium and calcium present in it help prevent the clotting of blood, relieve menstrual cramps, and maintain the health of uterine muscles. It is a healthy alternative, as compared to other medications for menstrual discomfort which might have certain side effects.
Manages Weight
An article in the Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science suggests that the polyphenols present in molasses have antioxidant effects which may prove effective in reducing obesity and managing weight. In the research conducted to assess the impact of molasses on a high-fat diet, it was evident that its extract helps in lowering body weight and fat content by reducing the absorption of calories in the body.
Treats Constipation
Molasses has been proven to be valuable in treating constipation. Dr. Hansen from the Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, in a research on the effect of molasses for treating constipation, has shown that milk and molasses enemas are as effective as sodium phosphate enemas given in the pediatric emergency department to cure constipation. It is also noteworthy that curing constipation with sodium phosphate requires an additional rectal treatment. However, it is not required after a treatment done with milk and molasses enemas, when consumed orally.
Keeps Bones Healthy
According to a study led by Dr. Julienna Hever, blackstrap molasses is a good source of calcium. The presence of calcium plays an important role in maintaining bone health, the functioning of the enzyme system, removal of toxins from the colon, and cell membrane function. It is also required to maintain healthy teeth and protects the body against bone diseases common during menopause. In addition to healthier bones, the ability of muscular contraction is also attributed to the presence of calcium in the body.
Treats Rheumatism
Molasses has been effectively utilized in the preparation of a medication for treating rheumatism and neuralgia. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of molasses make it a reliable ingredient for curing such disorders.
Manages Diabetes
Studies have revealed that blackstrap molasses helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels. It has a moderate glycemic index and aids in slowing the metabolism of glucose and carbohydrates, which subsequently means less insulin production. This helps in preventing the accumulation of excess fats or lipids in the bloodstream. It possesses a substantial amount of the essential trace element of chromium, which is valuable in relation to insulin action and maintenance of glucose tolerance in the body as well.
Molasses contains the highest amount of chromium (0.266 mg/kg) as compared to refined white sugar and brown sugar. A deficiency of chromium can result in weak glucose tolerance which can lead to diabetes. This can represent a serious risk for chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, blood cholesterol, and other cardiac disorders.
Prevents Hypokalemia
Molasses contains the essential mineral potassium, which is required for the proper functioning of cells. It helps in maintaining the acid-base balance of the body and prevents heat exhaustion. Potassium also plays an important role in nerve and muscle contraction and helps to maintain cardiac health. Adequate intake of potassium-rich foods like molasses helps prevent disorders like hypokalemia and reduces blood pressure as well.
Relieves Acne
A book titled ‘Encyclopedia of Folk Medicine: Old World and New World Traditions‘ by Gabrielle Hatfield mentions the use of molasses for acne treatment. It contains lactic acid, which helps in relieving the symptoms of acne. Lactic acid is produced by lactic acid bacteria and plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It is effectively used in natural, non-toxic, and non-allergenic treatments of a physiological nature for curing acne, and other skin disorders. Apart from molasses, lactic acid is also present in sour milk, apples, and tomato juice.
Speeds up Healing
Molasses has been used for its effects in the treatment of wounds and skin burns. It also promotes the healthy growth of tissues. Due to the wide range of essential minerals, it serves very well as a potent healer.
Increases Red Blood Cell Formation
According to a recent research, molasses is incredibly useful in treating anemia. It helps in the absorption of iron, the formation of red blood cells and