Unsulfured Blackstrap Molasses
Not Your Average Sweetener
The thought of unsulfured blackstrap molasses brings back memories of childhood. I was always small for my age and one year (I don't remember exactly how old I was), my mum decided to supplement my diet with it...
It wasn't very long before that supplementation experiment soon came to an end though. What went wrong? I wasn't a very compliant participant. The taste was horrible! Much too bitter and unpalatable for my sweet tooth!
Now add on some years and fast forward to me as an adult....
I love the stuff!!! Yes, even straight out of the spoon.
After trying it again, I've realized that my original dislike for blackstrap molasses probably had more to do with the quality of the brand (or lack thereof) than anything else. Whoever said that not all brands are created equal was right!
Quality organic brands taste sooo much better. They don't leave that terrible bitter aftertaste behind. But more on that later...
Just as a sidenote: If you're not familiar with what molasses is, it's the dark, syrupy liquid that remains when sugar cane is made into white sugar.
So, what's the big deal about blackstrap molasses?
It's not just a fat-free sweetener. It's super concentrated with all the vitamins and minerals that get left behind in the sugar making process. That's why it makes such a great nutritional supplement.
But don't get it confused for ligher grades of molasses on the market. They may be much sweeter than blackstrap molasses, but they don't even come close when it comes to vitamin and mineral content.
So, what are the nutrients that you'll get in just one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses?
Let's have a look and see...
- 60 calories
- 14 grams of carbohydrates
- Iron - 4.5 mg which makes it a much better (and less fattening) source of iron than red meat! Your body is able to absorb the iron from molasses well, so it's an ideal iron supplement for vegans, vegetarians, pregnant women, people with anemia, or anyone else who needs more iron.
- Calcium (115 mg) - About 10 % of your RDA (RDA = recommended daily allowance)
- Magnesium - Approximately 8 % of your RDA
- Potassium (730 mg) - about 20 percent of the RDA.
- Vitamin B - Molasses is high in vitamin B complex. B vitamins are important for helping your body cope with stress.
- Chromium - Your body uses chromium to help keep your blood sugar levels stable. You'll find a fair amount of this trace mineral in molasses
- Other Minerals - Molasses also contains manganese, copper, and selenium
Pretty impressive, isn't it?
Blackstrap Molasses May Help With...
Arthritis - I've read that supplementing with blackstrap molasses can help to relieve your stiff joints. This probably due to the high calcium content.
Anemia - If you're experiencing the chronic fatigue of iron-deficiency anemia, it can perk up up and help you feel energized again.
Grey hair - Rumor has it that taking molasses often enough can help your grey hairs return to their original color. I don't have the scientific studies to prove it, but some readers have written to say it works
If you've gotten results, please share your story with the rest of us!
Which Molasses Should I Choose?
Unsulfured organic blackstrap molasses wins hands down!
Why unsulfured?
Sulfur is an unhealthy chemical additive that's used as a preservative. Some people have sulfur sensitivities, so it's best to avoid it. There are many unsulfured brands on the market now, so that shouldn't be a problem.
While you're scanning the label to make sure your molasses is unsulfured, make sure it's organic too. Going organic is super important. Here's why...
Organic cane is more likely grown in more mineral rich soil than non-organic cane. As a result, it will probably be higher in nutrients.
Unlike organic cane, non-organic cane may be treated with chemical sprays and fertilizers.
And as if that's not bad enough, word has it that sugar cane harvesters of non-organic sugar cane may use additional chemicals to make the sugar cane leaves fall off. Using those chemicals makes the sugar cane much easier to harvest, but there's a good chance some of the chemical residues can end up in your molasses! We don't need that!
One brand that I have discovered a few years back is Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Blackstrap Molasses
Tasty Ways to Add Molasses to your Diet
If you are like me and like the slightly bitter taste of blackstrap molasses, go ahead and eat it right out of the spoon! :-)
Too radical for you? No worries. Just try...
- Adding it to your morning cereal
- Adding it to your smoothies
- Making it into a delicious warm drink (yum, one of my favorite beverages) by adding 1 - 3 teaspoons to warm or hot soy milk, almond milk, or another milk type beverage of your choice. Rice milk is kind of watery, so it's probably not the very best choice.
- Mixing it with water (warm or cold) if you don't want to take molasses with milk (it can be filling with milk). In water, the taste reminds me of prune juice. You can also try adding it to some freshly squeezed orange juice.
- Using it to replace some of the sugar or other sweeteners in your favorite recipes. It tastes great in bread, cookies, and gingerbread.
- Adding it to baked beans to give them more flavor.
How Much Should I Take?
Like anything else that is good for you, moderation is the key!
Keep in mind that molasses does contain a fair amount of sugar. You definitely do not want to overdo it. Between 1 and 3 tablespoons a day should be okay for most people.
If you've got diabetes or are on any kind of sugar restriction, be sure to check with your health care practitioner before adding extra sweeteners to your diet.
Worried about iron levels?
Try adding a wide variety of iron rich foods (e.g. lentils, organic dried apricots, prunes, etc.) to your diet. Don't just rely on just one food item to meet your needs. Variety is key!
What's the Shelf Life
So how long will molasses last? Unopened containers of molasses should last 2 years or longer.
Once it's opened, you can help it to maintain it's freshness by making sure the bottle is always tightly sealed. Keep it in the fridge, or in a nice dry place such as your pantry.
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