Several months ago, I stumbled across some information about blackstrap molasses while researching another topic. The information caught my eye, as it seemed to have pertinence for some women's health issues I regularly work with. Unfortunately, much of the information I found was not able to be verified in the scientific literature. But, I still found it intriguing. And since I happen to have one of the diagnoses myself, that blackstrap molasses was said to help, I thought I'd try it for myself and report on the results here.
Blackstrap molasses is the byproduct resulting from refining cane sugar into table sugar. In other words, the sugar we normally eat is stripped of the nutrients it naturally contains, and they end up in blackstrap molasses. Some of those nutrients include: manganese, copper, iron, and calcium. These are all minerals it is documented that we need in our diets, and the nutrient composition of blackstrap molasses is also something that has been researched and referenced. That part of the story to be found online, is true.
Where the questions came in was in the claims of all of the powers blackstrap molasses has. Articles claim that this sweetener can do everything from reverse gray hair to its original color, and cure attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, acne, and arthritis. There are no peer-reviewed studies confirming its ability to do any of these.
One health claim that pretty consistently does appear on the Internet, is the ability of blackstrap molasses to reverse and eliminate uterine fibroids. I do happen to live with these. And since they do set me up to be anemic, I thought I'd try using it for a month to see what happened. Even if it didn't shrink the fibroids, it would be a source of iron to address the anemia.
I must say, the first day I tried the molasses, I thought it was vile. Eating it off of a spoon is not for the faint of heart! After that, I did try it dissolved, one tablespoon in a 20 cup of hot water, like a tea. After a few days I did become accustomed to its taste. About two weeks into the experiment, I noticed I wasn't looking for coffee first thing in the morning, something that has been a habit for years. I have become accustomed to drinking the molasses tea in place of coffee.
I have been using blackstrap molasses almost daily for about a month now. It has not changed my hair color, even at the roots. That's not to say it won't in other people, but it would realistically only have the potential to do that for but one reason hair turns gray, a copper deficiency.
What I have noticed, however, is a profound change in my menstrual cycle. It has gone from lasting as long as a heavy 6 days, to 2 very light days this month. That is significant. If you live with fibroids, and their affect on you is debilitating, blackstrap molasses is certainly worth a try, at least for replacing the iron you may be using.
One point to keep in mind. Despite the frequent claim online that this sweetener is low-glycemic, if you are prone to hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, or diabetes, be sure to monitor your own glucose after using blackstrap molasses to be sure this is how it works with your own personal metabolism. It's still a sugar, and it still has potential to affect your metabolism. Your own personal readings are more important than any claim an unknown entity makes on a website.
Blackstrap molasses is a bit challenging to find. I finally found it in Whole Foods Market. You may want to call around before heading out to buy some, to be sure the store you are headed to carries it.
Bottom line, blackstrap molasses may not be a cure all, but it does have benefit. If it can't hurt, and it might help, you may want to consider a trial of your own to see what it might be able to do for you.
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