Blackstrap Molasses: A goldmine of food nutrients:
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How it is manufactured:
Blackstrap molasses is made from sugar cane. First and foremost, step of manufacturing is shredding and crushing of the sugar cane in order to get the juice out of it. This juice is boiled and cane syrup is produced. Sugar is extracted using crystallization from this cane syrup. Sugar free can syrup is then boiled again to form a thicker and darker syrup called molasses. Molasses is then boiled for the third time to get a glutinous liquid which is named as “Blackstrap Molasses”.
This by product of sugar has barely got any sugar content in it and hence causes almost no harm to the human body like regular table sugar does. It is used as a sweetener and unlike refined sugar it has rich nutritional value. Normally it is thought that a food product loses its nutritional value after being processed or boiled several times but to your surprise its totally opposite in the case of blackstrap molasses. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals; both macro minerals (protein potassium magnesium calcium) as well as trace minerals (iron, manganese, copper and selenium). The major difference between both is that u need macro minerals in larger amount whereas trace minerals are needed in small amount. No other sweetener is rich in nutrients like blackstrap molasses is. This is the reason why it is known as “superfood”
Blackstrap molasses is loaded with several health benefits. Let’s have a quick look over few of them
1. Combats Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Vitamin B6 which is one of the major nutrients of blackstrap molasses which helps in the production of two major compounds named Gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters (also known as GABA) and serotonin. These two can help fight conditions like depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Not only this, GABA is believed to have a calming effect on human brain which in result treats insomnia as well.
2. Fights Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which a human body has low level of red blood cells. More than 400 types of anemia have been identified so far which are divided into three groups:
- Anemia caused by blood deficiency.
- Anemia caused due to lack of red blood cells (RBC).
- Anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells.
Women aging between 20-50 is the most vulnerable group to develop anemia. Almost one in every 10 women falling in this age span suffers from anemia. Menstruating and pregnant women are on the highest risk of suffering from this disease. Symptoms include pale skin, headaches, fatigue, limbs cramps and palpitation. Blackstrap molasses contains fairly good amount of iron which helps to cure anemia if taken regularly. Beef is considered as one of the best sources to boost iron level but unlike beef blackstrap molasses has less calories, totally fat free and provides higher level of iron.
3. Solution To Your Hair Problems
Studies have shown that most of the people with bad hair and alopecia suffer from anemia. Like I mentioned above that blackstrap molasses cures anemia which consequently helps treat hair loss problems and give you healthier looking hair. Apart from iron, copper is also found in blackstrap molasses which helps to make collagen (a form of protein) and everyone knows how important is collagen for beautiful and healthy hair. Grey hair is one of the symptoms of aging which is the result of lowered melanin in hair. Consumption of blackstrap molasses triggers the melanin production thus not only delaying the graying of hair but also reversing the process of premature graying. So, if you want healthy beautiful hair, start taking blackstrap molasses on daily basis and let the magic begin.
4. Improves Bone Health
Everyone knows that calcium makes our bones stronger but did you know that trace minerals are no less important. We already talked about trace minerals in introduction part. Trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium. In order to strengthen our bones, we need all these trace minerals in our daily diet which we fail to get from the food we normally consume. To make up for this deficiency we must add some food supplement in our daily diet plan. Blackstrap molasses is an ideal supplement to make up for the deficiency.
5. Antioxidant Properties/ Fights Cancer
The toxicity of oxygen is due to its ability to form free radicals. When a human body uses oxygen, it produces a byproduct named as free radicals (unstable molecules). The free radicals have the power to damage our body cells which may lead to cancer. In order to combat our body against these free radical we need anti-oxidants, which are found in copper, zinc and selenium. Have a glance over the nutrients found in blackstrap molasses, you can see that all these minerals are found in it. Substantial differences in total antioxidant content of different sweeteners were found and blackstrap molasses had the highest antioxidant power.
6. Combats Arthritis
Potassium is found in blackstrap molasses in abundance. If your body is deficient in potassium you get to suffer from weak muscles which is a major cause of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Consuming blackstrap molasses shall protect you from potassium deficiency hence putting you on lower risk to suffer from arthritis. You might be aware that no medication can cure RA however, few additions to your diet routine can ease the pain and muscle stiffness that comes with RA. Blackstrap molasses is an ideal pick in that regard.
7. Strengthens Male Reproductive System
Blackstrap molasses is rich in the trace mineral manganese, which is believed to help elevate the production of male sex hormones testosterone. Blackstrap molasses may prove to be beneficial in treating males that suffer from reproductive dysfunction as a result of inadequate testosterone synthesis and it also treats Erectile Dysfunction. A deficiency of manganese can lead to infertility. The use of molasses as a supplement is recommended to enhance reproductive health.
Possible side effects
Blackstrap molasses is safe to use if taken in moderation. Excess intake can cause several health problems like;
- It can cause digestive problem. If consumed more than required, it can cause diarrhea
- Although it has low sugar content as compared to refined sugar but excess in take can be harmful if you are diabetic use in moderation
- If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you must avoid it.
- You may feel dizziness after taking it for the first time
Blackstrap Molasses Dosage And External Usage
Start off with 1 teaspoon a day, after 2-3 days increase the dose to 2 teaspoons and once your body gets used to it take it up to 1 tablespoon a day; you should not consume more than 2 tablespoons a day. That’s the maximum of dose that can be taken if your body can tolerate. Blackstrap molasses tends to be bitter and unpleasant to eat alone since most of the sugar particles are removed during crystallization which leaves behind a bittersweet viscous syrup. Hence, eating it alone would not be a good choice. following are few very convenient ways to consume it;
- You can dilute it in water and drink it as a tonic
- It can be used in baking
- You can mix it with yogurt or oats to make a perfectly healthy breakfast
- You can also use it as tea or coffee sweetener
Hair mask: Apart from eating blackstrap molasses you can also use it as a hair mask. Mix water with blackstrap molasses and massage on scalp and hair. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and wash it out.
Face Mask For Acne And Skin Whitening: Who wouldn’t wish to have a flawlessly glowing skin. Here is the super simple formula. Just apply concentrated blackstrap molasses on your face and let it dry until your face starts feeling tightened. Wash it off and tadaaa!!! You can apply this mask twice a week to get rid of breakouts and get spotless glowing complexion.
Sources
http://one80turn.com/Blackstrap_Molasses.pdf
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9970/c383b6b9c572770f2861953e3579ce14ade5.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19103324
http://one80turn.com/Blackstrap_Molasses.pdf
https://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/nutrition/178.pdf
https://mabuhaywellness.weebly.com/uploads/7/2/6/0/7260122/molasses_cures.pdf
https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/3139363/2#ixzz5qO8tIDI2
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309578234_The_effect_of_sugar_cane_molasses_on_the_immune_and_male_reproductive_systems_using_in_vitro_and_in_vivo_methods