The Health Benefits of Black Strap Molasses + My Review

I bought this bottle of Molasses at my natural health store late last summer mostly for my deep conditioners. Recently however molasses has become part of my diet as well.

I’ve known about molasses and it’s many health benefits since a child. My grandmother would always mention and recommend taking molasses especially to those who were prone to anemia. Recently my aunt had to have surgery done but was not able to undergo because her blood and iron levels were extremely low and not to mention anemic. Of course grandma came to the rescue (and molasses) and treated her for an entire month with blackstrap. Lone and behold she was good as new and ready to go have her surgery done.

This left me curious about the health benefits of molasses and did not want to just use molasses for my hair (review coming soon) knowing it has so much health potential. So I decided to take a tablespoon every other day to see what it can do for me health wise as well as a little research.

What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is just one type of molasses, the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar’s sucrose has been crystallized. -Source

Google Images

What is it used for?

Organic Blackstrap molasses has a rich, full bodied flavour that adds natural colour to food. It is the end product, or by-product, of the production of sugar and contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements naturally found in the sugar cane plant and is a good source of iron, vitamin B6, potassium, calcium and magnesium.-source

Molasses, which is what’s left after all that refining during sugar production, retains many of the vitamins and minerals extracted from the raw sugar cane which can be extremely beneficial. One of the most familiar nutrients molasses is rich in is Iron.

Iron is essential for blood production which carries oxygen to the rest of our organs, such as the skin and brain as well as a very important nutrient for menstruating women and of course those who deal with anemia.

Anemia can be a bothersome disease considering the symptoms can interfere with your daily life. Lack of energy, constant fatigue, headaches, cloudy thinking, moodiness and an array of symptoms all ties in with anemia and the lack of vital vitamins and minerals like iron existing in our diets. Since most of the vitamins and minerals we need on a daily basis can not be produced by the body on it’s own it’s important we get the following from our foods and/or supplements.

Here are some of the nutrients molasses is rich in:

Copper

Helps with bone formation, nervous system, Works with other vitamins to form elastin essential for tissue and muscle fibers as well as collagen production essential for healthy glowing skin. Copper also helps with hemoglobin the protein responsible to healthy red blood cells.

Foods rich in copper: Kiwi, lychees, Avocados, Lima beans, Taro root (malanga), Spirulina, Salmon, oats, walnuts

Potassium

Aids with cholesterol plaque buildup

Aids the kidneys to help eliminate wastes

Reduces high Blood pressure

Sends oxygen to the brain which helps with headaches and clearer thinking

Foods rich in Potassium: Bannanas, Guava, cherries, Kiwi, potatoes, coconut, almonds, oats, salmon, yogurt, catfish, avocados