Some of the best remedies don’t look very appealing at first glance. But, as you probably know, looks can be deceiving…
Take a certain black sludge-like substance that looks like it came out of the bottom of an oil barrel, but is actually a potent health remedy with a long history of treating stomach ailments, arthritis, anemia and more.
The black sludge I’m referring to is blackstrap molasses. And there’s a very good reason it looks this way.
It’s actually waste material left over after burning sugar cane stalks into regular molasses. But this is one case where the waste is worth saving…
Blackstrap molasses has less sugar than regular molasses but its nutrient density rivals your average multi-vitamin:
- Iron
- Calcium
- Copper
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- B vitamins
- Selenium
- Trace amounts of sodium, zinc, and phosphorus
Now, all types of molasses contain these nutrients in some way, shape or form, but blackstrap molasses contains them in significantly higher doses…
Just one tablespoonful provides you with 20 percent of your daily recommended intake of calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. Blackstrap molasses also contains more antioxidants than the lighter, sweeter types of molasses.
Needless to say, adding a daily dose of blackstrap molasses to your diet can have an amazing impact on your health. Its high iron content boosts energy and prevents anemia. Its copper content protects your heart and is believed by some to reverse gray hair (these are anecdotal reports, but copper deficiency is a cause of premature graying).
Its calcium content keeps your bones and teeth healthy and may even prevent osteoporosis. Its manganese content balances your hormones, which can help prevent and treat fibroids and ease PMS symptoms. Its antioxidant content helps you maintain a healthy body weight. The list goes on and on…
But do you really need any more reasons to try a bit of this ugly black sludge for yourself? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. And there’s nothing more beautiful than a simple remedy that keeps you strong and healthy.
There are a few easy ways you can add blackstrap molasses to your diet. You can buy a bottle and take a tablespoon daily like a nutritional supplement. You can add a spoonful to your tea or coffee, or even your favorite smoothie recipe. And you can cook with it — think baked beans.
But when you go out to buy a bottle of your own your black sludge, make sure you get unsulphured molasses made from organic sugar. Sulphured molasses is treated with the preservative sulphur dioxide, which has been linked to asthma, allergies and other health risks.
Sources:
“Blackstrap Molasses Nutrition.” The San Francisco Chronicle. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
“Blackstrap Molasses: The Sugar You Can Love!” Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, The Paleo Mom. http://www.thepaleomom.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
Bowden, Jonny. The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2007.
McCaffrey, Dee. The Science of Skinny: Start Understanding Your Body’s Chemistry and Stop Dieting Forever. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2012.
Carter, Azahara. My Journey to the Fountain of Youth. Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing, 2012.
“Dietary Copper May Ease An Ailing Heart.” USDA/Agricultural Research Service. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
“Molasses extract decreases obesity caused by a high-fat diet, research suggests.” Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
“Peanut Butter Oatmeal Blackstrap Molasses Breakfast Cookies.” Connoisseurus Veg. http://www.connoisseurusveg.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
“Classic Baked Beans.” Whole Foods Market. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
“The Health Risks of Sulfur Dioxide in Dried Fruits.” The San Francisco Chronicle. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
