Molasses
What is Molasses?
Molasses contains a moderate amount of nutrients and minerals that are shown to have beneficial impacts on oxidative stress and heart health. While molasses may be a good alternative to refined sugar, moderation is important. Further research is needed to determine the potential health effects of molasses.
Molasses is a byproduct of sugarcane or sugar beet juice. The juices extracted from the sugarcane and sugar beet are boiled down into a syrup, where the crystallized sugar is separated from the syrup and the remaining product is molasses [1].
During the process of producing molasses from sugarcane and sugar beet three separate boiling cycles occur, and with each cycle a different variety of molasses forms. These are three common types of molasses [2]:
Light molasses is the syrup that results after the first processing of the syrup. It is known to be the lightest in color and mildest or sweetest in taste.
Dark molasses is made from the second boiling of sugarcane or beet juice. Generally, it has a thicker texture, stronger taste, and darker color than light molasses.
Blackstrap molasses comes from the last extraction of sugar from sugarcane juice. Out of the three varieties, blackstrap is the darkest in color, and strongest in flavor with the least amount of sweetness.
Molasses is commonly used as a baking ingredient - it adds color, moisture and chewiness to dark breads, sauces, baked goods and it is what gives brown sugar its flavor and color.
A few studies concluded that molasses contains more antioxidant properties than other common natural and refined sugars [3].
Given that it contains several important nutrients and minerals, compared to other sweeteners, blackstrap molasses may be a good alternative to refined sugar when consumed in moderation.
Nutrient Breakdown
Molasses, especially the blackstrap variety, contains a moderate amount of nutrients and minerals, including [2]:
Unlike refined sugar, molasses provides several nutrients and minerals [2]. Calcium and magnesium are found in molasses, which have both been found to play crucial roles in the health of bones and the prevention of osteoporosis [4, 5]. Iron and copper, other components of molasses, have also been shown to have an effect on the maintenance of bone structure [6]. While molasses does contain these healthful nutrients and minerals, it is important to note that people should not solely rely on molasses as a source for these nutrients.
Foods Containing Molasses
Cookies
Gingersnaps
Gingerbread
Ginger molasses
Baked beans
Bread
Breakfast cereals
Prepackaged snacks
Dark soy sauce
Sauces
Barbecue
Worcestershire
Molasses Alternatives
Dates (sugar or syrup)
Food Reactions
The body can respond to foods in many different ways including food allergies, food sensitivities, or food intolerances. If you suspect a food reaction, you can either choose to avoid the food or seek food reaction testing. Click here more information on the difference in types of food reactions and testing options.
DISCLAIMER: Always consult with your pediatrician and/or your Registered Dietitian to help you test for a food reaction or to aid you in making individualized dietary changes.
Molasses & Autism in the Research
There are no current studies on autism and molasses, but there is some research that has shown a link between molasses and the ability to aid in heart health, reduced oxidative stress, and relieve constipation.
Heart Health
While there is currently no research looking at the impact of molasses intake and heart health in humans, there is one study that looked at the supplementation of molasses in animals. Through this study they found that the supplementation of molasses can help raise levels of “good” cholesterol, otherwise known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [7]. However, more studies in humans are needed to determine if molasses would have the same effect.
Antioxidant Properties
According to recent research, molasses was found to contain more antioxidants than honey, maple syrup and other natural and refined sugars [3]. These antioxidants are shown to have protective effects against oxidative stress [1].
Constipation Relief
Research looking at the role of molasses in treating constipation found that milk and molasses enemas were as safe and effective as sodium-phosphate enemas, which are widely used to treat constipation, in a pediatric emergency setting [8].
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[1] Valli V, Gómez-Caravaca AM, Di Nunzio M, Danesi F, Caboni MF, Bordoni A. Sugar cane and sugar beet molasses, antioxidant-rich alternatives to refined sugar. J Agric Food Chem. 2012;60(51):12508-12515.
[2] Pushpanjali C, Pushparani DS. Enhancement of iron absorption in black strap molasses using vitamin C - an invitro study. IJACSA. 2014;2(4).
[3] Phillips KM, Carlsen MH, Blomhoff R. Total antioxidant content of alternatives to refined sugar. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(1):64-71.
[4] Beto JA. The role of calcium in human aging. Clin Nutr Res. 2015;4(1):1-8.
[5] Castiglioni S, Cazzaniga A, Albisetti W, Maier JAM. Magnesium and osteoporosis: current state of knowledge and future research directions. Nutrients. 2013;5(8):3022-3033.
[6] Medeiros DM. Copper, iron, and selenium dietary deficiencies negatively impact skeletal integrity: A review. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2016;241(12):1316-1322.
[7] Schlegelmilch U, Brandsch C, Stangl GI, Eder K. Molasses increases HDL cholesterol in rats research note. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2005;75(3):211-217.
[8] Hansen SE, Whitehill JL, Goto CS, Quintero CA, Darling BE, Davis J. Safety and efficacy of milk and molasses enemas compared with sodium phosphate enemas for the treatment of constipation in a pediatric emergency department: Pediatric Emergency Care. 2011;27(12):1118-1120.
Authors
Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT
Laura Flournoy, dietetics student
