Superfoods - Molasses

What you need to know

Molasses is the name given to a thick, syrupy byproduct which is obtained from the processing of various vegetable materials.

Most molasses found for sale for health or cooking purposes is derived from processed Sugar cane. This can be found in several grades and may be suplphured or unsulphured. Molasses made from SUgar beet is not normally used for human consumption due to high content of salts and low vitamin content. The term 'molasses' is also applied to syrups derived from Sorghum in the US and from Carob beans, Grapes, Dates, Pomegranates and Mulberries amongst others in the Middle East fpr use in cooking.

What does this food contain?

For Sugar cane molasses, the most common form offered for sale as a health supplement is the final extract, called Blackstrap molasses. Although high in sugars, it also contains good levels of some vitamins and minerals, up to one fifth of the RDV per teaspoon, plus many trace minerals which do not have RDVs but are beneficial to health. It can therefore be used as a sugar, syrup or honey substitute to advantage. It is also often sold with added Vitamins A, B7 and/or C amongst other additives.

Nutrients

Disorders that may be helped by taking molasses

Other Information

Some caution may be advisable using iron sources such as molasses since some researchers have shown iron levels in the body as being a limiting factor in cancer cell growth. Of course, molasses will not GIVE you cancer, far from it! However, if you have been diagnosed with cancer, it would be best to be cautious about taking any additional iron in your diet unless instructed to by your qualified health practitioner. Having said that, some users have reported that it helped shrink or cure their cancers (possibly due to the other nutrients present, if they were lacking). It would certainly not help with diabetic or dental conditions, unless due regard was taken to the sugar content, but even there it is better than refined sugar.


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