Molasses is one of the most commonly used sweeteners in many recipes, and it has several uses. Learn about its benefits and nutritional value, as well as its potential harm.

What is molasses?

Molasses (in English Blackstrap molasses or Molasses) is also called sugar cane molasses. It is a secondary ingredient obtained during the process of producing sugar from the cane plant. Its use spread after the European colonization of the Indian subcontinent, as molasses acquired European countries as a sweetener for several centuries. This is due to its cheap price compared to white sugar.

Nutritional value of molasses

One tablespoon of molasses contains 60 calories, and it also contains many vitamins and important elements for the human body, such as:

• 14 grams of carbohydrates.
• 10 grams of sugar.
• 1 gram of protein.
• 0 grams of fat.
• Iron: represents 20% of the body’s daily need for iron.
• Calcium: represents 10% of the body’s daily calcium requirement.
• Magnesium: 10% of the daily requirement.
• Potassium: represents 9% of the daily requirement.
• Vitamin B6: represents 8% of the daily requirement.

Health benefits of sugar cane molasses

The advantages of molasses are not only limited to sweetening, or its cheap price, but some people prefer to use it even today as a substitute for white sugar because of its health benefits, and this is due to the fact that it does not raise blood sugar as refined sugar does, according to some studies and research.

Because of its high nutritional value, molasses is considered a good food for the health of the body, and among these benefits:

Sugar cane molasses for anemia

Molasses has amazing benefits for treating anemia patients, because it is rich in iron. And because the body’s lack of iron is the main cause of anemia, doctors recommend consuming molasses because it is a direct source of vegetable iron, as molasses contains 85% of iron.

Molasses is rich in antioxidants

Molasses is a rich source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, a substance linked to protecting the body from the risk of chronic diseases.

The antioxidants present in molasses work to combat the spread of free radicals in the body, and the spread of free radicals leads to damage to the cells of the body, and the occurrence of what is known as oxidative stress, which causes many serious diseases such as cancer.

Strengthen the bones

Molasses is a source of a mineral necessary for the body, which is calcium, and eating one tablespoon of molasses daily provides your body with approximately 10% of its daily need of this important mineral.

The lack of calcium in the body over time leads to osteoporosis, which in turn causes bones to lack mass and is more prone to fractures than normal. Therefore, building and strengthening bones requires the constant presence of calcium to maintain their structure.

Benefits of molasses for hair

The lack of minerals and vitamins in the body is one of the direct causes of hair loss, especially iron, which plays a pivotal role in hair health, and its deficiency leads to many problems, including hair loss and premature graying of hair.

Because molasses is a natural source of vegetable iron, doctors recommend consuming it to replace the lost iron in the body, which helps in promoting hair health, strengthening follicles, and growing its cells.

Watercress juice and molasses for hair

Watercress and molasses have tremendous benefits for hair health, and when mixed together, you get an amazing mixture to lengthen hair and increase its density. You can make watercress juice and molasses easily at your home by following these steps:

the ingredients

• 1 packet of watercress.
• One tablespoon of molasses.
• A quarter cup of water.

How to prepare

1. Separate the watercress leaves from their stems and wash them well.
2. In a blender, put watercress leaves with molasses and water.
3. After beating them with a blender, filter the juice.

You can keep drinking this juice daily to get the best results. Among its benefits:

• Promote hair growth.
• Strengthening the follicles.
• Increase hair shine.
• Protect your hair from falling out.

Other benefits of molasses

• Improve brain functions.
• Controlling the level of sugar in the blood, but it is preferable for diabetics to consult a doctor before eating it because there is a conflict in the opinions of scientists in this matter.
• Menstrual pain relief: because it contains important minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium that reduce menstrual cramps.
• Maintaining skin elasticity: because it contains lactic acid, which improves skin health and prevents skin diseases such as eczema.
• Improve digestive health.
• Eliminate constipation: Molasses acts as a natural stool softener.
• Stimulates body activity.

How to make molasses and its types

Sugar is produced from the cane plant by grinding it and producing juice from it, and this juice is boiled to produce sugar granules, and after the granules are extracted, a thick brown juice remains after boiling, which is called molasses, then the manufacturers carry out repeated boiling operations for this juice, until 3 types are extracted of molasses which are:

1. Mild molassesIt is the one that results from a single boiling process, and it is lighter in color and sweeter than the rest. It is often used in making baked goods.
2. Dark MolassesIt is what is produced after the second boiling process, and it is thicker, darker in color, and less sweet. It is also used in making baked goods, but it gives foods a distinctive taste and color.
3. black molassesIt is what is produced after the third boiling process, and it is the thickest and darkest type among the types of molasses, and it has a taste that tends to bitterness. This type is more concentrated, so it is the richest in vitamins and minerals, as it was mentioned in some research that it is the most beneficial for this reason.

There are also other types of molasses extracted from fruits and vegetables, such as grape molasses, pomegranate molasses, carob molasses, and date molasses.

Molasses damage

Molasses is considered a safe food for most people, but consuming too much of it can lead to some side effects, such as diarrhoea. In addition, there are some groups who are warned against excessive consumption of it, otherwise they will be exposed to health problems, including:

• pregnant.
• Lactating.
• Those suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• People who are allergic to sugar cane.
• Diabetics.

Notice; We must remind you of the need to consult a doctor before following any recipe that contains sugarcane molasses, especially if you suffer from health problems, and you should also consult a doctor before giving molasses to children.