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Home > Nutrition > 8 Nutritional Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

8 Nutritional Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

September 26, 2022 - Updated on September 27, 2022
6 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist

In this article:

  • Nutritional Profile of Blackstrap Molasses
  • Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses
  • How to Consume Blackstrap Molasses
  • Precautions to Consider
  • Most-Asked Questions About Blackstrap Molasses
  • Final Word

Molasses is a by-product of sugar production from sugarcane. It is a thick and dark liquid teeming with minerals from the sugarcane plant. (1)

nutritional benefits of blackstrap molasses

When sugarcane juice is boiled, the sugar crystallizes and is separated from the liquid by filtering. The liquid left behind is called molasses. Blackstrap molasses is obtained by boiling the remaining liquid a few more times.

Nutritional Profile of Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is extremely rich in many minerals. Just 1 tablespoon or 15 g of blackstrap molasses fulfills 24% of the daily magnesium requirement, 15% of the daily calcium requirement, 10% of the daily potassium requirement, and 4% (0.72 mg) of the daily iron requirement, and all of these at 60 calories. (2)

Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses can help improve your health in the following ways:

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1. Can be used as a supplement for anemia

blackstrap molasses can work as a iron-rich supplement for anemia

Perhaps one of the most widely discussed uses of blackstrap molasses is in treating anemia. Blackstrap molasses is used as a folk medicine to cure anemia caused by a deficiency of iron as it is believed to contain not only a good amount of iron but also iron absorption enhancers. (3)

It has double the amount of iron as compared to light molasses obtained from the first boiling of sugarcane juice. (4)

Blackstrap molasses is also recommended as an iron-rich source alongside other plant-based sources such as soy products, dark chocolate, and raisins. (5)

2. Eases constipation

Constipation is the inability to pass soft stools or passing them infrequently. It is a growing health problem amongst children. (6)

In children aged between 4 and 12 years, consuming 1 ml/kg body weight of blackstrap molasses per day for a month eased the symptoms of constipation. (7)

Experts believe blackstrap molasses is able to help with constipation through its content of polysaccharides, which act as fiber and eases the passage of stools. (8)

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3. Can help fight diseases

blackstrap molasses usage can help ward off diseases

Antioxidants are at the forefront of the fight against many illnesses. They remove free radicals from the body, which are primarily responsible for causing damage to cells. (9)

Since blackstrap molasses is a good source of antioxidants, (10) it can have a protective effect against diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, obesity, and even cancer.

4. Strengthens bones

Blackstrap molasses is rich in calcium and magnesium, providing 15% and 24% of their daily requirements, respectively, in just 1 tablespoon. (2)

Since calcium and magnesium are both involved in maintaining good bone health, (11) blackstrap molasses can be used to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and maintain healthy bones.

5. Improves hair health

blackstrap molasses can help maintain and promote hair health

Iron deficiency has been associated with alopecia, which is a type of hair loss that may be permanent. (12) As blackstrap molasses is rich in iron, its consumption can be used in treating hair loss and maintaining good hair health. (3)

6. Boosts testosterone levels in men

The human body and some of its functions are sensitive to toxic substances and can lose their ability to function well. Reproductive organs are amongst the most prone to damage caused by substances called endocrine disruptors.

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In animal studies, blackstrap molasses consumption was able to suppress the activity of these endocrine disruptors and boost the level of testosterone, the male hormone involved in fertility. (13)

7. Helps improve menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is a uterine bleeding disorder that affects a lot of women during their reproductive age. It causes excessive bleeding and requires supplementing the diet with iron-rich foods to prevent anemia.

Including blackstrap molasses in the diet of these women can be helpful as it is a rich source of iron and other minerals. (14)

8. Supports brain function

blackstrap molasses consumption can help promote brain function

The brain requires certain minerals to develop and function properly. The good news is blackstrap molasses has some of these minerals, and a cup of tea sweetened with this molasses can help the body receive these nutrients.

Rich in iron and copper, blackstrap molasses can normalize cognitive function and also prevent cognitive decline such as in the case of Alzheimer’s disease. (15)

How to Consume Blackstrap Molasses

A tablespoon of blackstrap molasses can be used in baking, as toppings for oatmeal or parfaits, or to sweeten tea or drinks.

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Precautions to Consider

  • Since blackstrap molasses is rich in sugar, overconsumption may cause diarrhea or stomachache.
  • People with uncontrolled diabetes must be careful with blackstrap molasses consumption as it can cause blood sugar levels to rise.

Most-Asked Questions About Blackstrap Molasses

Can I take blackstrap molasses every day?

can you take blackstrap molasses everyday?

Since 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses is rich in nutrients, it may be a safe dose to take. You can choose to consume it every day, but you must be careful with its amount.

Is blackstrap molasses safe for pregnant women?

Since blackstrap molasses contains all the nutrients necessary for pregnant women, it may be a good supplement to include in a pregnant woman’s diet.

Final Word

Sugar is made from sugarcane juice by boiling the juice until the sugar crystallizes. It is then filtered out, leaving behind molasses. When the leftover molasses is boiled multiple times, blackstrap molasses is formed.

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Blackstrap molasses is much richer in iron than other types of molasses and is helpful in treating anemia. The polysaccharides in blackstrap also help ease the symptoms of constipation in children.

Its iron content can also help in treating hair loss associated with iron deficiency. Its rich calcium and magnesium content can also help protect the bones against osteoporosis and maintain healthy bones.

References
  1. Rahiman F, Pool EJ. The effect of sugar cane molasses on the immune and male reproductive systems using in vitro and in vivo methods. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5110661/. Published October 2016.
  2. Blackstrap molasses – del monte foods inc.. Open Food Facts. https://world.openfoodfacts.org/product/0024000335238/blackstrap-molasses-del-monte-foods-inc.
  3. Briguglio M, Hrelia S, Malaguti M, et al. The central role of iron in human nutrition: From folk to contemporary medicine. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353323/.
  4. P; JRV. Sugarcane molasses – a potential dietary supplement in the management of iron deficiency anemia. Journal of dietary supplements. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28125303/.
  5. Hever J, Cronise RJ. Plant-based nutrition for healthcare professionals: Implementing diet as a primary modality in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Journal of geriatric cardiology: JGC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466942/. Published May 2017.
  6. Rajindrajith S, Devanarayana NM, Crispus Perera BJ, Benninga MA. Childhood constipation as an emerging public health problem. World journal of gastroenterology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4974585/. Published August 14, 2016.
  7. Dehghani SM, Bahroloolomifard MS, Yousefi G, Pasdaran A, Hamedi A. A randomized controlled double blinded trial to evaluate efficacy of oral administration of black strap molasses (sugarcane extract) in comparison with polyethylene glycol on pediatric functional constipation. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;238:111845. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.111845.
  8. Bellini M, Tonarelli S, Barracca F, et al. Chronic constipation: Is a nutritional approach reasonable? Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8538724/. Published September 26, 2021.
  9. Pham-Huy LA, He H, Pham-Huy C. Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. International journal of biomedical science: IJBS. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/. Published June 2008.
  10. Raveen Chauhan | professor (assistant) | Pharmd( doctor … – researchgate. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Raveen-Chauhan.
  11. Ciosek Ż, Kot K, Kosik-Bogacka D, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N, Rotter I. The effects of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride, and lead on bone tissue. Biomolecules. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8066206/. Published March 28, 2021.
  12. Salinas M, Leiva-Salinas M, Flores E, López-Garrigós M, Leiva-Salinas C. Alopecia and iron deficiency: An interventional pilot study in primary care to improve the request of Ferritin. Advances in hematology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7471793/. Published August 26, 2020.
  13. Rahiman F, Pool EJ. The effect of sugar cane molasses on the immune and male reproductive systems using in vitro and in vivo methods. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5110661/. Published October 2016.
  14. Livdans-Forret AB, Harvey PJ, Larkin-Thier SM. Menorrhagia: A synopsis of management focusing on herbal and nutritional supplements, and chiropractic. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2077876/. Published December 2007.
  15. Gómez-Pinilla F. Brain Foods: The effects of nutrients on brain function. Nature reviews. Neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805706/. Published July 2008.
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