It’s definitely a staple in our pantry and is something I use pretty regularly.
Listen to episode 289 of the podcast here or read on for a quick summary of our discussion!
Before we get into the health benefits, let’s first talk about what it is and how it differs from other types of molasses.
Types of Molasses
Molasses is made from the liquid created by crushing sugarcane. Boiling this liquid results in cane syrup or light molasses. Boiling it a second time results in dark molasses. The third boiling is what makes thick, dark
What’s the Difference Between Sulphured and Unsulphured Molasses?
Sulfur dioxide is often added to molasses as a preservative to keep the liquid from fermenting. Sulfured molasses is less sweet than unsulphured and is considered less healthy due to the added preservative.
What Are Some Health Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses ?
1. A Natural Sweetener
Blackstrap molasses is a great natural sweetener with a moderate glycemic load (55). The American Diabetes Association classifies any food with a GI of 55 or less to be considered “low”. While diabetics still need to be careful with this, it’s definitely a better sugar alternative than refined sugar and a healthier alternative than artificial sweeteners!
2. PMS Relief
Women lose a certain amount of iron during their menstrual cycles. This iron deficiency can contribute to the typical symptoms of PMS that women often encounter such as irritability, depression, fatigue, headaches, and insomnia.
Additionally, vitamin-rich
3. A Natural Laxative
Low magnesium levels can often lead to constipation, so it’s no wonder then that magnesium-rich
Try 1-2 tablespoons mixed with warm water to relieve constipation.
4. Bone Health
Back in episode 33 of the podcast, we talked about reasons to give up dairy (dairy is not as healthy for your bone health as originally thought…in fact, recent studies that show it may actually be very bad for bones).
Fortunately, there are other foods that contain the calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium you need for a healthy skeleton, and
5. Healthy Hair
A YouTube search for “blackstrap molasses part of your regular diet, it’s worth noting this as a possible benefit. Personally, I’ll stick with consuming it versus pouring it in my hair!
6. Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is a very common cause of anemia which, if left unchecked, can lead to serious health issues. The high iron content of
7. ADHD/ ADD
Many adults and children who suffer from ADHD and ADD have been shown to be nutritionally deficient, particularly in zinc, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Enter
Is There a Downside to Blackstrap Molasses ?
We’ve talked about the health benefits of
One thing to consider is that if you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before making it a regular part of your diet. Despite being natural and healthy, it is still a sweetener and may impact your blood sugar.
Additionally, since
To help limit any adverse side effects, start by consuming a small amount and working up to 1-2 teaspoons per day.
What Are Some Great Ways to Consume Blackstrap Molasses ?
Straight Up
The easiest way to consume
Smoothies
Looking for something to sweeten up that
Baked Goods
There are so many recipes in which you can substitute
Oatmeal
Speaking of oatmeal, another great way to consume
Marinade
A block of tofu is just waiting for a great marinade to make it something amazing. Check out this recipe for Vegan Blackstrap Tofu One Green Planet that looks Yummy-licious!
Vegan Baked Beans
Looking for a tasty and healthy batch cooking recipe? Try these vegan baked beans from A Virtual Vegan. Sweet, smoky, slow-cooked beans are the PERFECT comfort food!
We hope this article has outlined some of the amazing benefits of
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A Special Thanks To Our Sponsors
- The Shop at Vegetarian Zen for all of your Veg Zen swag!
Further Reading and Resources Used for this Episode
- Health Benefits of Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses (Video)
- Iron-Rich Foods for Vegetarians and Vegans
- 5 Blackstrap Molasses Benefits
- Sweeteners with Health Benefits
Recipe of the Week
Thanks for listening!
Peace and Veggies,
Vickie and Larissa