The health benefits of blackstrap molasses (NaturalNews) Molasses is a thick syrup produced when the sugar cane plant is processed to make refined sugar for mass consumption. Whereas the toxic and unhealthy refined sugar is destined for our supermarket shelves, the highly nutritious molasses which contains all the minerals and nutrients absorbed by the plant is more likely to be sold as livestock feed instead. Fortunately, the nutritional value of molasses is becoming betterknown, and various grades of molasses are now being sold to us as baking ingredients, sugar substitutes and mineral supplements. This is especially true of blackstrap molasses, the highest and most nutritious grade of molasses. Below is a list of blackstrap's health benefits and advice on how to consume it as a health supplement.
What blackstrap molasses does for us Good for hair One serving (two tablespoons) of blackstrap contains approximately 14 percent of our RDI of copper, an important trace mineral whose peptides help rebuild the skin structure that supports healthy hair. Consequently, longterm consumption of blackstrap has been linked to improved hair quality, hair regrowth in men and even a restoration of your hair's original color! Click here for more information about blackstrap's hair benefits. Safe sweetener for diabetics Unlike refined sugar, blackstrap molasses has a moderate glycemic load of 55. This makes it a good sugar substitute for diabetics and individuals who are seeking to avoid blood sugar spikes. Moreover, one serving of blackstrap contains no fat and only 32 calories, making it suitable for a weight loss diet. Laxative qualities Blackstrap is a natural stool softener that can improve the regularity and quality of your bowel movements. Rich in iron Two tablespoons of blackstrap contain 13.2 percent of our RDI of iron, which our bodies need to carry oxygen to our blood cells. People who are anemic (including pregnant women) will greatly benefit from consuming 12 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses per day. High in calcium and magnesium Blackstrap molasses contains a mineral profile that has been optimized by nature for superior absorption. For example, two tablespoons of blackstrap contains 11.7 percent of our RDI of calcium and 7.3 percent of our RDI of magnesium. This calciummagnesium ratio is ideal, since our bodies need large quantities of magnesium to help absorb similarly large quantities of calcium. Both of these minerals aid the growth and
development of bones, making blackstrap a good safeguard against osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Additional mineral content Two tablespoons of blackstrap molasses also contains 18 percent of our RDI of manganese (which helps produce energy from proteins and carbohydrates), 9.7 percent of our RDI of potassium (which plays an important role in nerve transmission and muscle contraction), 5 percent of our RDI of vitamin B6 (which aids brain and skin development) and 3.4 percent of our RDI of selenium, an important antioxidant.
Taking blackstrap as a health supplement The best way to take blackstrap as a supplement is to mix between 12 tablespoons of it in a cup of boiling water and then drink it through a straw once the water has cooled. (The straw helps the molasses bypass your teeth.) This should be done daily, ideally first thing in the morning when you need the energy most.
Raw sugar Raw sugar comes from evaporated cane juice, just like white table sugar. It's made by boiling down the sap of sugar cane plants, spinning it to remove some of the molasses and then purifying it slightly. Raw sugar does go through less chemical processing than white sugar and is usually brown or yellow in color. Varieties of raw sugar include muscovado, turbinado and demerara.
White sugar No Organic Merchant sells white sugar or any products containing white sugar because it is a foodless food. It is 99.96% sucrose and the human body in this form is potentially dangerous. It is touted as an energy food, and is misleading for there is ample evidence that white sugar robs the body of B vitamins, disrupts calcium metabolism and has a deleterious effect on the nervous system. This is why processed sugar is bad for you.
Choosing a Sugar for Making Water Kefir When choosing a sugar for making water kefir, always read the label. Some sugars may contain anit-caking additives or other ingredients that could affect the health of the water kefir grains. Look for plain sugar with no added ingredients, for best results. Description
Results
Refined white
Pure white, free of
Makes a sweet water kefir
sugar
minerals
Organic Cane
Less refined than
Type of Sugar
Makes a sweet water kefir
Juice Crystals white sugar; very low mineral content Turbinado or
Sugar that is spun to
Makes a less sweet water
Raw Sugar
have most of the
kefir than white sugar or
molasses removed.
OCJC
Slightly less refined than OCJC; medium mineral content Rapadura or Sucanat
Sugar cane juice that Makes a stronger-flavored has been pressed and
water kefir
dried; high mineral content Brown Sugar
White sugar with
Makes a stronger-flavored
molasses added
water kefir
back; high mineral content
Coconut Palm Sugar
Sugar extracted and Too rich for water kefir; can dried from coconut
damage water kefir grains.
palm trees; very high Use small amounts only in mineral content
combination with cane sugar.
Maple Sugar or Made from the sap of Too rich for water kefir; can Syrup
the sugar maple tree damage water kefir grains. Use small amunts only in combination with cane sugar.
Honey
Natural sugar from
Raw honey has its own
bees; high in mineral bacteria that can compete content
with water kefir grains; some honey is contaminated with high fructose corn syrup; NOT recommended
Molasses
Very high mineral
Molasses used on its own
content
can be damaging to water kefir grains; use only ½ tsp as mineral supplementation, as needed.
Agave, stevia, monk fruit,
water kefir grains. NOT
Splenda
recommended
Sugar substitutes Will not provide food for the