The Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses: What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Molasses is a byproduct known for being extremely thick. Molasses is often used in food for things like biscuits and dessert, but blackstrap molasses is different. So what is blackstrap molasses? You can add it to foods, such as baked beans, but it’s strong and bitter. A lot of people focus on the benefits of blackstrap molasses and use it to boost their health. Keep reading to discover what blackstrap molasses is and the benefits of blackstrap molasses for your health!

What Is Blackstrap Molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is different from your traditional forms of molasses, including light and dark varieties. Molasses itself is a byproduct that is produced during the sugar-making process. Sugar cane is crushed and boiled to make sugar, and molasses is left behind.

The thick syrup can be boiled multiple times to create different molasses varieties,

Blackstrap molasses is created after the third and final boiling of the substance. The final version is dark and bitter, but it’s also one of the healthiest versions of molasses.

Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

A lot of people refer to this type of molasses as the healthiest form available. Blackstrap molasses is filled with good-for-you vitamins and minerals, including:

• Calcium
• Copper
• Iron
• Manganese
• Potassium
• And much more

You also benefit from a substance that is very low on the glycemic index. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence backing this molasses for a variety of conditions. Since blackstrap molasses is already in a thick liquid form, it’s easily added to your diet, although it does have a strong taste that takes some time to get accustomed to.

Once you find a way you prefer to consume this molasses, you’ll be on your way to reaping its many benefits.

Blackstrap Molasses Studies

There is a lack of scientific studies done on this substance, but the ones that have been performed show great promise. Primarily, studies have been conducted on the individual vitamins and minerals in molasses.

Boost Testosterone Production

Testosterone production is a main concern for men 40 and older. Every year after men turn 40, they begin to lose 1% of their testosterone level. The importance of testosterone cannot be overstated, as men require it for muscle mass, strength, and even reproductive health.

A study conducted on mice found that mice that were given blackstrap molasses had their LH-induced testosterone production increased much more than the control group.

Men suffering from low testosterone levels may benefit from adding molasses into their diet. Stimulation levels were almost 50% higher in the group that was given molasses compared to the control group.

Bone Health

Bones need to remain healthy and strong, but as a person ages, it’s not uncommon for their bones to weaken. Resistance training is one way to boost bone health and maintain bone density, but diet can also play a major role in bone health.

Blackstrap molasses has very high levels of two minerals that are needed to boost bone health:

• Calcium
• Magnesium

Both of these substances are required to fight against osteoporosis. One tablespoon of this molasses provides up to 10% of your daily recommended intake of these minerals. Numerous studies have been done on both calcium and magnesium, showing:

• Over time, a lack of adequate calcium will lead to osteoporosis. Approximately 99% of the calcium in your body gets stored in your bones. Failure to maintain healthy levels of calcium leads to brittle bones that are more likely to fracture or break.
• A large analysis on magnesium found that a lot of the clinical data available shows magnesium contributes to bone health. Ensuring that magnesium and calcium are part of your diet can help boost bone health and fend off the risks of osteoporosis.

When it comes to bone health, you need to be cautious of the foods you eat and your lifestyle choices. Adding in foods that are high in calcium and magnesium to your diet will go a long way in ensuring that you’re lowering your risks of osteoporosis and increasing your overall bone strength.

Blood and Immune System Health

A single tablespoon of blackstrap molasses has around 20% of your daily recommended iron intake. People that don’t eat a lot of meat often lack adequate levels of iron, which can lead to poor red blood cell levels.

Low red blood cells will cause several issues, including:

• Fatigue
• Weaknesses
• Anemia

A 2014 study on iron looked at the importance of iron for individual health. The study found that iron deficiency was widely spread in many countries, harming the immune system and leading to poor blood health.

Blackstrap molasses has the potential to provide an immediate boost of iron and can help reduce the risks of anemia.

Due to the minerals in blackstrap molasses, especially potassium, it has a wide range of health benefits that haven’t been directly tied to molasses itself. For example, due to the high level of potassium, blackstrap molasses provides the following benefits:

• Helps assist the body in fluid regulation to ensure that swelling isn’t an issue
• Assists with the regulation of nerve signals in the body
• Helps regulate muscle contractions

Blood pressure regulation is another benefit of potassium. When you have high blood pressure, potassium helps bring these levels down and will also protect against water retention. There is also evidence that potassium will help you ward off kidney stones and also protect against stroke.

A lot of people’s diets lack the proper amounts of potassium, which is found in high levels in salmon, kale, and spinach, among many other foods. A tablespoon of blackstrap molasses provides a staggering 300 mg of potassium, which is almost equivalent to half a banana.

The Takeaway

Blackstrap molasses is filled with minerals that are required for a happy, healthy lifestyle. The addition of calcium, iron, and magnesium allows the molasses to provide strong bone health and boost the immune system, too.

The substance can be eaten on its own, but it’s very thick and has a strong taste.

Instead, most people will add it to a drink or even put it in their coffee. The additional minerals are a welcomed addition to most diets and will help you lead a healthier life.