Learn the Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

Learn the Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses
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Blackstrap Molasses

Molasses is made from sugar canes (and sugar beets). The juice is extracted from the sugar cane, usually by mashing or crushing it, and is boiled. Boiling concentrates the juice (giving it a syrupy texture) and promotes the crystallization of sugar, which is removed (refined sugar).

First molasses is the result from boiling it once and has the highest content of sugar in it because it has little amounts of sugar crystals to be removed. Second molasses is the result from boiling it twice and is not as high in sugar because more sugar crystals are formed and removed. Blackstrap molasses is the result from boiling it three times and has the least amount of sugar in it.

Unlike refined sugar (which has been stripped of virtually all nutrients), blackstrap molasses is sweet in taste but also contains many important nutrients. The health benefits of blackstrap molasses are plenty because of this.

Blackstrap molasses was imported into the U.S. in the early days of the colonists. At that time, until the late 19th century, it was the most popular sweetener used because it was much cheaper than refined sugar. In the mid-20th century, blackstrap molasses regained popularity because of it health benefits and not cost.

Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is high in iron. Two teaspoons provide a little over 13% of the daily recommended value. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin which carries oxygen to all body cells. A decrease of oxygen in cells can lead to tiredness and apathy.

Two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses provides almost 12% of the daily recommended value of calcium. Calcium is essential to the formation of bone, regulates the transport of ions across cell membranes (particularly important in nerve transmission), is essential for muscle contraction (including the heart), maintains the “glue” that holds cells together, and plays an essential role in the clotting of blood.

Blackstrap molasses is a very good source of potassium. Two teaspoons provide about 10% of the daily recommended value. Potassium is critical to maintaining the heartbeat. It is the major positive ion inside cells and is also important in many metabolic and structural functions.

Magnesium is another important mineral high in blackstrap molasses. Two teaspoons provide a bit over 7% of the daily recommended value. Magnesium is essential for protein synthesis and for the release of energy from energy nutrients. Bone formation, muscle relaxation, and nerve conduction depend on magnesium.

Other important nutrients found in blackstrap molasses include copper, manganese, selenium, and vitamin B6.

Health benefits of blackstrap molasses include:

  • helping in the treatment of anemia
  • helping in the prevention of osteoporosis
  • helping in the treatment of digestive problems such as constipation and acid reflux
  • helping in the treatment of menstrual symptoms, including cramping and mood swings
  • helping in the treatment of heart palpitations and high blood pressure.

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