Exploring Whether the Claimed Health Advantages of Molasses Remain Validated in Science
Molasses, a by-product of the sugar refining process, is often associated with sweet treats like gingerbread and cookies. However, it's time to delve deeper and uncover the nutritional benefits of this underappreciated sweetener.
Molasses comes in different varieties, with light molasses being the lightest and sweetest, commonly used in various cooking applications. On the other hand, dark molasses is thicker, less sweet, and stronger in taste, often used for gingerbread. The darkest and strongest molasses is blackstrap molasses, which retains more vitamins and minerals than its counterparts.
A study has linked molasses to higher levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol, and more research is needed to confirm its heart health benefits. Molasses may help keep the heart healthy by providing a substantial amount of potassium. It's also a source of antioxidants, better than some other sugar alternatives.
Antioxidants have been linked to various health benefits, including improving skin texture, reducing cancer risk, tackling inflammation, protecting against liver and heart disease, and better eye health. Consuming molasses may also help maintain healthy bones due to the presence of minerals like iron, selenium, copper, and calcium.
In terms of diabetes management, a 2016 randomized controlled trial showed that molasses may help control blood sugar levels, but the effects may vary depending on the type of molasses used.
It's important to note that while molasses is a healthier option compared to regular granulated sugar, it is still higher in fat and salt. Also, unsulfured molasses, which does not contain sulfur dioxide, is recommended for cooking sweeter stuff to avoid a bitter taste.
Molasses can be used in a variety of recipes, from bread to sauces and marinades. For instance, Molasses brown bread is a simple but tasty beginner's bread recipe that can be made with light or dark molasses. Molasses and bacon baked beans make a drool-inducing companion to burgers and hotdogs for summer evening barbecues.
While most store-bought molasses comes from sugar cane or sugar beet, there are alternatives like sorghum, a cereal grain prepared in much the same way, but it's not molasses. If used as a substitute, throw in roughly half the amount the recipe calls for.
Treacle, a common molasses alternative in some regions, is a mix of molasses, syrup, and color additives. It can be used as a molasses substitute depending on the recipe.
In conclusion, while molasses should not be considered a miracle worker in terms of health food, it offers several nutritional benefits and can be a good option for those trying to make little lifestyle changes to cut down on sugar in their diet.
