Top 10 Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

image

Remember the phrase ‘looks can be deceptive’? Well, it is so in the case of blackstrap molasses. It is a thick, gooey, dark liquid that is a byproduct of sugar production. While we process sugarcane juice and use refined sugar with zero nutritional value for our consumption, we use molasses for cattle feed even though it contains a host of nutrients. Thankfully, molasses is slowly, but increasingly, becoming popular owing to its health benefits. Take a look at some of its benefits.

  1. Safe Sweetener For Diabetics: If you have diabetes and are a sweet tooth, then you are in a bit of a conundrum, aren’t you? However, molasses can make your life easy. It contains just as many carbohydrates as sugar does, but with a lower glycemic index. Therefore, it takes much longer to digest. Thus, your blood sugar levels are not altered much and insulin production is regulated.
  1. Rejuvenates Hair: Molasses can also be used as a natural conditioner for frizz-free hair. Direct application of the molasses to your hair is undoubtedly a bad idea. You should mix it with lukewarm water or with your regular hair oil before applying it to your hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse and shampoo your hair. You will notice that your hair feels much softer and shinier than before.

  1. Maintains Fluid Balance In Your Body: Molasses has a high potassium content that helps maintain your body’s pH balance. It helps to neutralize the sodium content that contributes towards increasing your blood pressure and causing hypertension. It also helps improve bone density and carbohydrate metabolism, and maintains heart and skeletal health.

  1. Soothes Digestive Troubles: Heartburn, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea are some of the digestive problems molasses can ease. It is known to cure stomach aches and ulcers and may be useful in treating symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as well.

  1. Strengthens Bones And Teeth: One tablespoon contains as much as 17 percent calcium that is necessary for developing your bones and teeth. Calcium is also required for the maintenance of your colon health and molasses benefit you on that front as well. Also, it contains a decent amount of magnesium that is also required to fight degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis.
  1. Facilitates Weight Loss: Molasses contains a host of vitamins and minerals that help maintain various organs in our body. Also, it contains very few calories and thus, does not contribute to weight gain. Molasses takes longer to digest, which makes it the better choice as opposed to sugar crystals. Therefore, you feel full for longer, and you can avoid unwarranted weight gain.

  1. Instant Energy Booster: Molasses is also a source of instant energy since it contains the same number of carbohydrates as sugar crystals does. However, since it takes longer to digest, it has a more regulated glycemic index. Also, blackstrap molasses helps replenish your body’s iron stores, which consequently results in the facilitation of oxygen transportation through the body. Increased oxygen transport contributes towards energy production.

  1. Fights Breakouts: Increased exposure to ultraviolet rays induces free radical damage in your body, which is countered by antioxidants present in food. Molasses is one such abundant source of antioxidants that fights the acne causing free radicals and prevents breakouts and scarring. It also contributes to overall great skin health and delays skin aging and wrinkling.

  1. Reduces Risks Of Cardiovascular Diseases: Molasses is a rich source of minerals like copper, manganese, magnesium, and potassium that help maintain the acidic balance in your blood. It, therefore, regulates your blood pressure levels and reduces risks of cardiovascular diseases like cardiac arrests, unregulated blood clotting, oxidative stress, stroke, low blood pressure, and inflammation of the blood vessels.

  1. Acts As A Cancer Preventive: Blackstrap molasses is also believed to be an effective preventive measure against certain types of cancer because of its antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals content. However, definite scientific data is still required to back this claim. Nevertheless, considering its dense nutritional profile, you should include molasses in your diet to get its various health benefits.

In our fast-paced lives, wherein we are gradually becoming susceptible to various lifestyle diseases, it is imperative we make better choices with regards to our food and life. Be smart about your food, and choose blackstrap molasses over the refined derivative of sugarcane – sugar. Molasses might not have the visual appeal, but it more than makes up for it with its nutritional benefits.

Vineetha Reddy
I am very passionate about nutrition, fitness, health & wellness. I strongly believe that the ingredients you find in your pantry are the best medicines that you can get. I mostly like writing based on my experiences. I like to give the best of the ideas that I come up with.