I recently discovered and proceeded to purchase my first bottle of blackstrap molasses. It seemed like a cruel joke that after I bought it, I found out that its health benefits have been known for generations – my grandmother’s generation, using it as a health tonic and treatment for anemia. The minerals on the bottle of blackstrap mollases I bought said in bold: iron, calcium, potassium. The presence of these three minerals, along with essential trace minerals, make it a popular energy food. The sugar cane refining process leading to the by-product, blackstrap molasses, is interesting. Essentially, black strap molasse is the residue left over after refining raw cane sugar into white sugar.
These are just a few of the diseases that blackstrap molasses is said to have cured or improved: low iron count, certain cancers, fibroid tumors, iron anemias, sickle cell anemias, acne, arthritis, gray hair, hair loss . There are many testimonials from people who claim that black belt mollases has helped improve symptoms associated with the aforementioned conditions.
It is not considered the best tasting health food. It is usually mixed in a blender with fruit and juices or milk to make it more palatable. Many acquire a liking for it, even using it as a substitute for sugar in their morning coffee. Those who want to increase their iron level usually wash it down with lemon juice, as iron is better absorbed with vitamin C.
It is a great tonic for menstrual symptoms. Consistent use is known to not only shorten the time of menstrual cycles, but also replenish lost iron that can lead to anemia-like symptoms during that time of the month, as well as reduce the severity of cramps. Although it is very rich in nutrients, it is very important not to consume too much; this is especially true for men who are more susceptible than women to iron accumulation.
The unsulfured blackstrap molasses I purchased came in a plain bottle and was at the bottom of the shelf at Whole Foods. Who knew that this powerful food could have so many uses! Chances are there aren’t any Blackstrap chicks in your neighborhood grocery store. You may have to search a central or whole foods market to find it, and there are different forms of black-strap mollases; For example, unsulfured versus sulfurized molasses are two options you’ll find, so named because of the method of processing sugar cane. Sulfur-free mollase is considered a healthier option.