Molasses is dark, sweet, syrupy byproduct obtained from the extraction of sugars from sugar beets and sugar cane. Molasses is derived from the Latin name Meli means Honey.
Molasses boost the immune system, strengthens the nervous system, relieves stress, headaches and gives relief from menstruation problems. It’s an excellent hair care tonic. It maintains healthy hemoglobin levels.
Table of Contents
What Is Molasses?
Molasses is a dense, viscous by-product acquired from the refining of sugar from sugar cane and sugar beets.In the process of sugar making, juice that is extracted from sugar cane is boiled.
This results in crystallization of the sugar. The dark syrup left after the extraction of sugar crystals is Molasses. After that, molasses is finely filtered and pasteurized; this results in a rich, sweet and pure molasses. Molasses are produced in India, Thailand, Brazil, Taiwan, Philippines, and the United States.
Health Benefits Of Molasses
Molasses is the nourishing, nutritive sweetener. It has wonderful health benefits as
1. Diabetes
Molasses helps to stabilize levels of the blood sugar. It has a lower glycemic index of approximately 55, which contributes to slow down the metabolism of carbohydrates and glucose, which ultimately leads to less insulin production.
This also prevents the building of excess fats in the blood. Molasses is the marvelous sugar substitute for diabetes and for you all who wants to avoid intake of sugar.
2. Weight Loss And Control Cholesterol
Molasses contains no fats, it just has some calories, so it is gray for a weight loss diet. Molasses possess an element of chromium, which is good in insulin action and in maintaining glucose tolerance in the body. Thus, molasses helps in maintaining cholesterol levels and cardiac disorders.
3. Constipation
Molasses is useful in treating constipation. When milk and molasses are taken together, it gives relief from constipation. It is a better homemade remedy than the medicines.
4. Antioxidant Capacity
Molasses contains more valuable antioxidants when compared to refined sugar or corn syrup. These antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by the free radical; it also works in preventing cardiovascular disorders and degenerative diseases.
5. Good For Hair
Molasses is rich in copper and minerals that promote healthy hair growth. It improves the hair quality.It prevents the hair from graying and restores the original color of the hair. Molasses softens and conditions the hair and maintains the smooth and thick texture of hair.
6. Hemoglobin
The Hemoglobin level in the body helps you to be healthy. It aids in supplying oxygen to other parts of the body from the lungs. Molasses is rich in iron, which is an immediate source of maintaining healthy levels of hemoglobin.
7. Nervous System
Molasses contains 204% of magnesium, which strengthens the nervous regime of the body. It alleviates hypertension. It keeps your nerves relaxed. It balances the calcium volume and stops it against nerve contraction. Thus, in a way helps in the functioning of your nervous system.
8. Healthy Bones
Molasses have 69% of calcium. We all know calcium is responsible for maintaining healthy bones.It is required for maintaining healthy teeth and safeguards against bone diseases like osteoporosis.Molasses also helps in the functioning of enzyme systems and the removal of toxins from the colon.
9. Menstruation
Molasses is rich in iron, so it helps in preventing menstrual discomforts.It helps in preventing the clotting of blood and relieves from menstrual stomach aches and cramps.It helps in maintaining uterine muscles.
10. A headache And Fatigue
The content of vitamin B6 in molasses helps in the maintenance of a healthy body. It relieves from headaches, fatigue, and asthma.Take about 3 teaspoons of molasses regularly; it will overcome your tiring schedule, making you fresh all the time.
11. Growth Of Red Blood Cells
Molasses has a richness of copper, so it fights against free radicals.It helps in the formation of red blood cells.
Thus, in a way, it treats thyroid problems and cardiac issues.
12. Hypokalemia And Rheumatism
The anti-inflammatory property of molasses helps to treat rheumatism. Molasses has a significant content potassium, which maintains the acid-base balance of the body and ensures the working of cells.Thus, it prevents disorders like hypokalemia.
13. Better Circulation Of Blood
Molasses can help in the proper blood circulation in the body.It soothes the sore leg muscles. It cures the strapped ankle. Moreover, it more wonderfully for nose bleeding. You can take a teaspoon of molasses in the hot water in the morning. This will surely help you.
14. Hair
Molasses have the copper content so; it prevents graying of hair.It is a blessing to bald people. It can also reverse the color of prematurely gray hair to black hair once again. Thus, giving you a young look once again.
15. Skin And Acne
Molasses contains lactic acid. So, it cures acne and other skin disorders.It is responsible for carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it rejuvenates the skin, hydrates it and prevents from acne.
16. Baking And Cooking
Molasses is used in baked goods.It is a common sweetener in gingerbread and pies.It also flavors these products. It gives them a rich, sweet and classic flavor.It is perfect for baked beans and barbecue sauce recipes. Molasses can also be used to flavor meat like ham and pork.
17. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is made from refined sugar and 5% of molasses. Here, the molasses gives the brown sugar its rich flavor and dark color.
18. Rum
Molasses is also used to make alcohol. It is the primary sugar used to make rum. This is the reason why rum is common in the regions where sugar cane is heavily cultivated.
19.Peanut Allergy
Molasses can also be taken by the person who is allergic to peanuts. So, it prevents the cross-contamination of nuts.
Substitutes Of Molasses
Molasses can be replaced by honey, maple syrup, dark corn syrup. But, these will not give you the robust flavor of molasses.
Side Effects Of Molasses
- Diabetic patients should avoid taking molasses in excess. They should not take more than 1 teaspoon per day.
- It may be harmful to anyone who takes more than 3 teaspoons a day. It may cause loose motions
- Molasses should be strictly avoided in case of diarrhea.
- If you are allergic to sugar cane, please avoid molasses else it may worsen the condition.
Types Of Molasses
There are different cycles of boiling and crystallization to obtain sugar. These boiling results in various types of Molasses. Some categories of the Molasses are:
a. Cane Molasses Or Light Molasses
Cane Molasses are the byproduct extracted from the sugarcane after the first boiling. This is very light, so it is also referred as Light Molasses. This has the highest sugar content.
It is the lightest in color and is mild in flavor. It has the least viscous texture. It is the molasses commonly sold in the market.Cane molasses is used to make cookies softer and bread crustier.Molasses can be used in marinades and sauces.
b. Dark Molasses
Dark Molasses is also referred as Second Molasses or Robust Molasses.It is the byproduct obtained from the second boiling cycle of sugar cane.
This molasses is thicker, more viscous, it contains less sugar and has a slightly bitter taste.These molasses gives the gingerbread cookies a different flavor and color.
c. Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap Molasses is obtained from the third boiling of sugar syrup.Till this stage of boiling, a majority of sucrose is crystallized and removed. So, the blackstrap molasses has the least sugar content.
Blackstrap molasses is very dark in color, and it is exceedingly viscous in its texture. It has a spicy flavor.It has a high concentration of Vitamin B6 and minerals, including copper, magnesium, calcium and manganese.
At this level, iron raises up to 5%. Blackstrap is a good source of potassium. Thus, Blackstrap Molasses is the healthiest molasses. This is good in savory dishes like pulled pork and baked beans.
d. Sulfured Molasses
Sulfured Molasses is extracted from the boiling cycles of young sugar cane. These molasses are treated with sulfur dioxide for preservative; sulfur dioxide is a useful bleaching agent.
It is used to kill off bacteria and molds, and it helps to lighten the color of molasses. Sulfured Molasses has a chemical type flavor and is less sweet.
e. Unsulfered Molasses
Unsulfured Molasses is extracted from the refining of mature sugar cane. Unsulfured molasses is lighter and is a cleaner sugar. Unsulfured Molasses do not need sulfur and have a rich, creamy and light flavor. Most commercial molasses available in the market are the Unsulfured Molasses.
f. Sugar Beet Molasses
Sugar Beet Molasses is extracted from sugar beets. These molasses are obtained from the final crystallization stage. Beet molasses has a remarkable amount of glucose and fructose. Beet Molasses has 50% sugar. It has limited biotin. It is used as an animal feed or as a fermentation feedstock.
g. Hydrol
Hydrol Molasses is extracted from the starch hydrolysis.
Nutritional Value Of Molasses
The nutrient value of Molasses depends on its variety and the process from which it is made. Molasses has no saturated fats or protein content.
Blackstrap Molasses has the highest concentration of nutrient content, as it has the lowest sugar compound.
The Molasses gives high energy and carbohydrates.
It has about 88% of iron, 69% of calcium, if you take a cup of molasses it can give you 116% of Vitamin B6 component, 204 % of magnesium, 141% of potassium, 258% of manganese, 82% of copper, 7% of zinc and 5% of sodium.
The sugar component in molasses has sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Molasses has various vitamins like niacin, vitamin B-6, thiamine, and riboflavin.
Therefore, we can Molasses is a remarkable nourishing compound that gives energy with calcium, iron, vitamins, and minerals. It has little fat and fiber content.
Bottom Line
For the healthier life, you can add 1-2 tablespoon of molasses in boiling water and drink when it is cooled. This will give you energy and would help you lead a healthy life.
Molasses is a beneficial sweetener that boosts your immune system, strengthens the nervous system. Molasses, when taken regularly, can hydrate your skin, condition your hair. It maintains hemoglobin levels and healthy bones.
So, add a healthy sugar supplement in your life in the form of molasses.
Stay Healthy, Stay Relaxed.
