In an age when processed white sugar is the absolute devil, alternative sweeteners are getting their time under the sun. Like jaggery, agave nectar, brown sugar, honey and maple syrup, molasses has been gaining a lot of importance these days. This thick syrup, which is the by-product of sugar making, is also a source of many important nutrients. Here is what you need to know about molasses.
What are molasses?
Molasses or black treacle is a viscous substance, which is a by-product of extracting sugar from sugarcane or sugar beets. The word molasses comes from melaço in Portuguese a derivative (intensifier) of mel (honey) with Latinate roots.
Sugarcane juice is boiled to a certain point till the sugar crystalises. Once it's extracted, a thick, brown liquid stays back called molasses. The brown liquid is boiled and processed in different ways to prepare different types of molasses-like light, dark, blackstrap, unsulfered and sulfered molasses.
Apart from sugarcane, sorghum, pomegranate, beets and carob are also used to make molasses.
It is primarily used to sweeten and flavour foods. Molasses is a major constituent of fine commercial brown sugar It is also one of the primary ingredients used to distil rum.
Molasses nutrition
100 grams of Molasses contains the following nutrients:
| Nutrients | Measure |
| Calories | 290 |
| Total Carbohydrate | 75g |
| Total Fat | 0.1 g |
| Sodium | 37 mg |
| Potassium | 1,464 mg |
| Iron | 26% |
| Vitamin B6 | 35% |
| Magnesium | 60% |
| Calcium | 20% |
Molasses health benefits
Molasses are a more nutritious alternative to plain sugar. It has more nutrients, more flavour and less calories than granulated sugar.
Molasses is rich in vitamin B6 and contains beneficial antioxidants. It also has more potassium. It's also a popular remedy for iron deficiency anaemia in Ayurveda,
Following are some of the health benefits of molasses.
- Rich in antioxidants
- Plant based
- High iron content
- Prevent osteoporosis
- Good for digestion
- Promote bone health
- Control blood sugar levels
- Help prevent Anemia
- Help treat constipation in children
- Good for hair health
- Improves mood
- Good for brain health
Prevent Anemia: Molasses have a high content of iron and vitamin B6, which are important for the production of haemoglobin. Molasses also contains iron absorption enhancers, such as sulfur, fructose, and copper, which makes it an ideal remedy for iron deficiency.
Good for bones: Calcium, Iron and Selenium are important nutrients for healthy bones. Molasses is a good source of them. The plus point of these nutrients gained from molasses is that vegans, gluten allergic and nut-allergic people can also consume it.
Good for heart health: Molasses contains good amounts of potassium, a nutrient important for the functioning of the heart. There's also some evidence that suggests it could increase good cholesterol.
References:
1. Jain R, Venkatasubramanian P. Sugarcane Molasses - A Potential Dietary Supplement in the Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia. J Diet Suppl. 2017 Sep 3;14(5):589-598. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2016.1269145. Epub 2017 Jan 26. PMID: 28125303.
2. Rahiman F, Pool EJ. The effect of sugar cane molasses on the immune and male reproductive systems using in vitro and in vivo methods. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2016 Oct;19(10):1125-1130. PMID: 27872709; PMCID: PMC5110661.
3. USDA
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