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Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

Loveleena Rajeev
Blackstrap molasses is a thick viscous bitter-sweet syrup. Read on to know more about the health benefits of blackstrap molasses.
The word 'molasses' is derived from the Latin melaceres, which means honey-like. It is a liquid byproduct of sugarcane, obtained from the process of refining sugarcane into table sugar. Blackstrap molasses is the more concentrated byproduct, obtained from the 3rd boiling of the sugarcane syrup, after the sucrose in the sugar gets crystallized.
It has been used since the 19th century as a popular and affordable sweetener. Its use was popularized during the health food movement in the mid-20th century. The largest producers of this product are India, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Brazil, and the United States. Here are some health benefits of blackstrap molasses.

Benefits

This product is a healthy sweetener, full of nutritional value, unlike refined white sugar or artificial sweeteners like saccharine. Just two teaspoons contain over 10% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, potassium, and other valuable minerals and nutrients.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the important minerals required by our body. It is needed for forming and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Two teaspoons of this sweetener meets 11.8% of our daily need for calcium.

Magnesium

It is essential not only for bones and cell energy production, but is also needed for regulating calcium levels. It controls the flow of calcium in nerve cells. Two teaspoons of this byproduct daily provides 7.3% value for magnesium.

Copper

Copper is essential for iron utilization, production of hair, and skin pigments known as melanin, free radical elimination, development of bone tissue, controlling good and bad cholesterol, and other physiological processes in the body. Breakfast cereal or tea, sweetened with 2 teaspoons of this syrup will provide 14.0% of daily recommended value for copper.

Manganese

Manganese protects the body against damage from free radicals. It helps in the production of protein and carbohydrates and is important for a healthy nervous system. Just two teaspoons of the syrup will supply 18.0% of the day's needs for manganese.

Iron

Two teaspoons of this syrup will supply you 13.3% of the daily recommended value for iron, replenishing your iron stores. Iron is essential for energy production and metabolism. This concentrated product provides more iron and less calories and is especially useful for growing children and lactating women, as they are more prone to iron deficiency.

Potassium

It is important for the smooth functioning of the muscle and the nervous system. It helps to maintain the body's electrolyte and pH balance. Two teaspoons daily will provide you with 9.7% recommended value of potassium.
In addition, this sweet item is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium. It has 16 calories per teaspoon, which is the same as that of sugar.

Curative Powers

It has been known to help in curing fibroid, anemia, anxiety, constipation, arthritic pain, heart palpitations, etc. It also helps to turn gray hair back to its original color.

Culinary Uses

It can be added as a sweetener to all breakfast cereals, smoothies, milk, tea, coffee, and even desserts.
It imparts a distinctive flavor to cookies and cakes.
Baste chicken or turkey with this product to give it a rich color and taste.
This syrup is inexpensive, tasty, and readily available. However, care should be taken to use the non-sulfured variety, as organic foods have much more nutritive value.
Disclaimer: This is only for informative purpose, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.