Molasses Benefits – The Healthier Alternative to Sugar

Available in different varieties, molasses is a thick, viscous liquid that remains after sugar is extracted from cane or beet juice. Depending on the stage of processing, you can get light molasses, dark molasses, and blackstrap molasses. The interesting thing about this syrup is that it has the lowest sugar content making it safe for diabetics to consume. One of the key molasses benefits is that unlike sugar that has no nutritive value, molasses contains several vitamins and minerals. Some of these include magnesium, iron, selenium, calcium, and vitamin B6.

Molasses Benefits for Your Skin and Hair

Most over-the-counter products that work on acne and breakouts typically contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. A good non-toxic alternative is to use applications of molasses. This natural product has a healthy content of lactic acid that can treat acne along with various other skin conditions. Adding it to your diet can help you cleanse the skin from within. Further, molasses can help you treat minor burns and speed their healing. Clean the burnt area carefully, cover with a thin layer of molasses, and dress with a bandage.

In case you have a problem with frizzy hair, consider using molasses as a conditioning agent. It works well on treated hair like colored, bleached, or permed hair also. Combine a few tablespoons with warm water or coconut milk and apply on your hair. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off normally with your regular shampoo for smooth hair.

Molasses Benefits for Your Body

 Strengthens Your Bones

The magnesium and calcium content in molasses can make your bones strong so you can prevent osteoporosis. Add about 5 tablespoons of the liquid into your daily diet to get the required doses of 95% of iron, 38% of magnesium, and 50% of calcium. Molasses also contains iron, copper, and selenium, all of which are great for your bones.

Restores Iron in Your Blood

If you have anemia because of inadequate levels of iron in your blood, molasses could help you. Drink a tablespoon or two in a glass of warm milk and you will find your stamina levels improving with less fatigue. You can also add it to dishes that call for sweetening agents.

Safe for Diabetics

Because of its low sugar content, diabetics can safely use it to sweeten their food. Your body metabolizes molasses much more slowly as compared to sugar and other carbohydrates. For this reason, if you’re looking to make diabetic-friendly dishes like say, gingerbread cookies, use molasses as the sweetener.

Promotes Heart Health

The nutrients in molasses work to protect your heart and strengthen it. For instance, the potassium helps regulate blood pressure because it can widen your arteries. As a result, blood circulates more easily and you avoid hypertension. Molasses can also help raise the good HDL cholesterol levels so you lower the possibility of blood clots and strokes.

Contains Healthy Antioxidants

Foods that contain antioxidants can help you get rid of the toxins in your blood and protect your body from the damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals not only lower immunity levels but can also result in various illnesses by causing oxidative distress. In addition, they can trigger mutations in your DNA that could develop into cancer. Molasses contain antioxidants that work for the overall health of your body.

Additional Molasses Benefits

• Magnesium in molasses helps relieve muscular spasms and cramps, and prevents hypertension.
• Vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid along with other vitamins and minerals work to prevent attacks of asthma and headaches.
• Molasses helps relieve stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
• Eases bowel movement and constipation
• Contains the ideal balance of calcium and potassium for easy blood circulation.

Add a few tablespoons of the syrup to your regular diet and you can get the many molasses benefits for your skin, hair, and overall health.

References:

5 Blackstrap Molasses Benefits

Everything you need to know about molasses

Sugar cane and sugar beet molasses, antioxidant-rich alternatives to refined sugar.