The 21 Health Benefits of Molasses!

The benefits of molasses are diverse, as it has a large amount of essential nutrients for the general health of the body. In addition, the health benefits of molasses include relief from problems related to menstruation, obesity, diabetes, stress, cancer, prostate enlargement, acne and other skin conditions, constipation, headaches, and anemia.

It also helps improve bone health, electrolyte balance, hair health, sexual health, nervous system functioning and wound healing. Molasses also helps to strengthen the immune system, maintain healthy hemoglobin levels and aid in the formation of new cells in the body.

Molasses is a dense and viscous by – product obtained from sugarcane processing. The name molasses derives from the Latin word Mel . Its viscosity and thick texture gave rise to the famous designation of something or someone being “slow as molasses ” for anything slow.

Historically, molasses was produced in the Caribbean, where sugarcane and sugar beet cultivation was greater. From there, it was imported into the United States during the early 20th century. Today, molasses is produced on a large scale in Brazil, Thailand, India, Taiwan, the Philippines, and the United States. Along with its use as a sweetener in food products, molasses also offers health benefits and is used to treat a wide range of ailments.

Molasses Varieties: 

• Blackstrap molasses : It is obtained from the production of raw sugar and canned refined sugar. It is also known as final molasses in cane mills or refinery molasses .
• Sugarcane Molasses : This is a by-product of refining sugarcane juice. Beet molasses , on the other hand , is a by-product of the extraction of sucrose from beet sugar.
• Molasses : Molasses is also referred to as sulfuric molasses if it has been extracted fresh from the cane and treated with sulfur dioxide for preservation.
• Non-Sulphuric Molasses : Molasses extracted from ripe sugarcane does not need sulfur and retains its rich flavor. This variety is referred to as non-sulfuric molasses .
• Hydrol : Molasses obtained from the hydrolysis of starch is called hydrol.

The nutritional content and quality of molasses depends on the method involved in its refining process, the state of maturity of the plant from which it is extracted and the amount of sugar that is extracted.

Nutritional Value of Molasses:  Molasses contains a large number of essential minerals such as Calcium , Magnesium , Manganese , Potassium , Copper , Iron , Phosphorus , Chromium , Cobalt and Sodium . It is a good source of carbohydrates and energy and contains sugars. In addition, molasses offers several vitamins such as Niacin , Vitamin B6 , Thiamine and Riboflavin. Molasses is very low in both fat and fiber content.

Health Benefits of Molasses:  Molasses is a nutritious sweetener that contains a considerable amount of nutrients that are essential for the body to function, unlike refined white sugar, which contains only simple carbohydrates and other components such as aspartame, which is not very healthy for the body.

Antioxidant Benefits of Molasses: Studies have shown that molasses contains the highest amount of antioxidants compared to refined sugar, corn syrup, raw sugar cane and other readily available sweeteners. These antioxidants protect the body against oxidative damage associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease and degenerative diseases. This makes molasses a much better alternative to refined sugar.

Benefits of Molasses for Menstruation: Molasses is a good source of iron and is very effective for menstruating women who are at a higher risk of iron deficiency due to blood loss. Fat-free and low in calories, molasses is the best alternative for contributing iron content to the body, compared to other fatty sources such as red meat.

Iron prevents various diseases such as menorrhagia, which causes excessive blood flow for a longer period of time during menstruation. Minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium that are present in molasses help prevent blood clotting, relieve menstrual pain and help maintain the health of the uterine muscles. Molasses is a healthy alternative, compared to other medications for menstrual discomfort, which can have certain side effects.

Molasses Benefits for Obesity: The polyphenols present in molasses have antioxidant effects that can be effective in reducing obesity and managing weight gain. In research conducted to assess the impact of molasses with a high fat diet, it was evident that molasses extract helps in reducing body weight and fat content by reducing the absorption of calories in the body.

Molasses Benefits for Better Sexual Health: Molasses is rich in trace mineral Manganese which helps in healthy production of sex hormones. It also plays a key role in the functioning of the nervous system, preventing blood clots from forming and producing energy from proteins and carbohydrates. Manganese deficiencycan lead to infertility, general fatigue and weak bones.

Benefits of Molasses for Constipation: Molasses has been proven to be valuable in treating constipation. Several investigations have 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 additional rectal treatment. However, this is not necessary in treatment with milk enemas and molasses when consumed orally.

Benefits of Molasses for Bones: Blackstrap molasses is a good source of calcium , which plays an important role in maintaining bone health, enzyme system functioning, colonic toxin removal and cell membrane function. It is also needed to maintain healthy teeth and protects the body against bone diseases common during menopause. In addition to healthy bones, the ability to contract muscle is also attributed to the presence of calcium in the body.

Benefits of Molasses for Rheumatism: Molasses has been used effectively in the preparation of medicines for the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of molasses make it a reliable ingredient for curing such disorders.

Benefits of Molasses for Diabetes: Molasses helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. It has a low glycemic index and helps to slow down glucose and carbohydrate metabolism, which subsequently means less insulin production. This helps to prevent the accumulation of excess fats or lipids in the blood. Molasses has a substantial amount of the essential trace element Chromium ,which is valuable in relation to insulin action and maintenance of glucose tolerance in the body.

Scientific research has shown that molasses contains a higher amount of chromium (0.266 mg/kg) compared to refined white sugar and brown sugar. Chromium deficiency can result in poor glucose tolerance which can lead to diabetes . This can pose a serious risk for chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, blood cholesterol and other heart disorders.

Benefits of Molasses for Hypokalemia: Molasses contains the essential mineral, Potassium , which is necessary for the proper functioning of cells. It helps maintain the body’s acid-base balance and prevents heat exhaustion. Potassium plays an important role in muscle and nerve contraction and helps maintain heart health. Adequate intake of potassium rich foods like molasses helps to avoid disorders like hypokalemia and lowers blood pressure .

Benefits of Molasses for Acne : The health benefits of molasses also include acne relief . Molasses contains lactic acid, which helps relieve acne symptoms. Lactic acid is produced by lactic acid bacteria and plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism.

It is effectively used in the elaboration of natural, non-toxic and non-allergenic treatments of a physiological nature to cure acne and other skin conditions. In addition to molasses , lactic acid is also present in sour milk, apple and tomato juice .

Healing Benefits of Molasses: Molasses has been used for its healing effects in the treatment of wounds and skin burns. It also promotes healthy tissue growth. Due to the wide variety of essential minerals, molasses serves very well as a potent healer.

Benefits of Molasses for Red Blood Cells: Molasses is rich in Copper , which helps in the eradication of free radicals from the body. This helps with iron absorption, the formation of red blood cells and maintains a healthy immune system. Copper deficiencycan result in anemia, thyroid problems, cardiac arrhythmia and osteoporosis.

Molasses Benefits for Hemoglobin: The Iron content in molasses helps maintain healthy hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin plays a key role in delivering oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. It is also vital for energy production and aids in maintaining a healthy metabolism.

Benefits of Molasses in New Cell Formation: Molasses is also sometimes referred to as pregnancy tea, due to the presence of Iron , Vitamin B (i.e. Folic Acid ) and other essential minerals. Consuming molasses during pregnancy also provides calcium , which is necessary for the growth and development of the baby.

Benefits of Molasses for the Nervous System: Molasses containsMagnesium , which contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system. It keeps our nerves and blood vessels relaxed, balancing calcium volume and preventing it from rushing into the nerves. The unblocking flows of Calcium to the nerves can activate them and lead to the transmission of too many signals and excessive nerve contraction. Magnesium deficiencyin the body can lead to hypertension, muscle cramps, spasms and general body fatigue.

Benefits of Molasses Against Headache and Fatigue: Molasses is a good source of various minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin B6  and pathogenic acid. Deficiency of these vitamins can cause headaches, asthma, fatigue and stress. The consumption of molasses will help to provide these necessary vitamins and minerals and will help in maintaining good health in general.

Molasses Anti-Cancer Benefits: In addition to various vitamins and minerals, molasses also contains Selenium , which is beneficial in treating cancer.

Molasses Hair Care Benefits: Molasses extracts aregood for hair and also to promote healthy hair growth. It softens and conditions the hair, adds a rich texture and prevents premature graying.

Benefits of Molasses in Cooking: Molasses is quite popular in the use of baked goods such as pies, gingerbread and baked beans. It is also used in the manufacture of rum, which is one of the reasons why rum is so popular in areas where sugar cane and molasses are grown in abundance.

Other uses for molasses:

• The molasses that has been used for animal feed. Molasses is a carbon source and is effectively used in horticulture to feed microbes and increase soil microbial activity. Beet molasses is also used to make fertilizer.
• Molasses is a beneficial sweetener that is rich in naturally available micro and macronutrients.

Some people may develop allergic reactions due to sensitivity towards the sulfite that is present in sulfuric molasses . Non – sulfuric molasses is sulfur dioxide free and safe to use in such cases. However, it is always advisable to obtain medical consent before considering molasses as a therapeutic remedy for various medical conditions.