Molasses is a by-product of sugar production. For many people, it’s a tasty alternative to table sugar. But is molasses really a healthy sugar substitute?
For many people, molasses is the silent star among sugar substitutes . As a waste material in sugar production, molasses is of course closely linked to sugar production. Molasses is a true all-rounder. It is used as a drink powder in alcohol production as well as a special flour in animal husbandry. It is also used in the kitchen. They are particularly good for sweetening drinks and as a spread.
Opponents of sugar are increasingly relying on the use of sugar substitutes, including black molasses, maple syrup and agave syrup . Molasses contains many valuable ingredients, including the minerals magnesium, potassium and iron as well as phytochemicals and vitamins . But how does molasses do in the glycemic index (GI)? How many calories does she have? And how healthy is she really? We explain what makes molasses special and whether it is suitable as a sugar substitute for diabetics .
Table of Contents
The properties of molasses
– 100 g have 288 kcal
– Glycemic Index: Medium
– Contains many vitamins and other healthy ingredients
– Versatile in use, including baking, cooking, spreading on bread and sweetening drinks
The manufacture of molasses
Molasses is a viscous syrup that is a by-product of sugar production. It is mainly obtained from sugar cane, sugar beets and sugar sorghum, which is why it is often referred to as sugar cane molasses or sugar beet molasses. Sugar cane or sugar beets are spun during production until the sugar crystals and liquid components have separated. The finished product can then be stored at room temperature.
At the beginning, molasses is still very light. It is only after the syrup has been boiled a third time that it contains less sugar but lots of minerals. The molasses now has the typical dark color. Important: Black molasses should not be confused with sugar beet syrup , even though there is a close resemblance. Sugar beet syrup is made by boiling sugar beet, molasses is strictly speaking a waste product.
As a by-product of sugar, molasses has a high sugar content. However, it depends on how often the sweetener has been processed. The darker the cane molasses, the less sugar it contains. Despite this, even the dark syrup still consists of 60 percent sugar . The sugar it contains is what is known as sucrose, a mixture of glucose and fructose, which is also what table sugar is made of. The black molasses is only slightly sweet, rather tart and tastes like liquorice.
The nutrients of molasses
The advantage of black molasses is that it contains many trace elements, phytochemicals and other healthy ingredients such as
- pantothenic acid (vitamin B5),
- Requirements,
- Calcium,
- Phosphor,
- Magnesium,
- Potassium
The syrup provides exactly the nutrients that are necessary to strengthen and harmonize the human organism. Two teaspoons of the black sugar substitute already cover the daily mineral requirement. You should also leave it at the daily amount, because too high a dose has a negative effect on your health. However, diabetics should avoid molasses due to its high sugar content. Blood sugar rises too quickly from molasses and also falls again quickly.
make molasses yourself
Ingredients for 250 ml homemade molasses:
- 3.5 kg of sugar beets
- 500ml of water
- Wash the sugar beets under warm water and use a vegetable brush to remove any soil that may be present.
- Thinly slice the beets and place in a saucepan. Cover the beets with water and bring to a boil.
- Cook the beets on medium until tender.
- Pour the beets through a kitchen sieve and collect the sugar beet water in a second saucepan. Bring the broth to a boil and cook until it forms a viscous mass.
- Turn off the stove and let the molasses cool.
- In an airtight jar, the molasses can be stored at room temperature for about 18 months.
molasses in the diet
Sugar cane waste is a true all-rounder in nutrition. However, many have to get used to the taste of the viscous syrup first – because it is not, as expected, a sweet ingredient, but has a special taste of its own. The taste is close to liquorice or beet syrup. Nevertheless, the black miracle finds many uses. It is a popular ingredient as a spread, but black molasses can do even more.
A teaspoon in sour juices or lemonade and the drink gets a pleasantly slightly sweet taste. It is also suitable for baking and cooking. Even as a skin care product, many people take the viscous syrup. Numerous diseases such as angina pectoris, arthritis, varicose veins , weakness attacks and cardiac insufficiency have been treated with the sweetener. It is considered the successful solution to many inflammations, diseases and disorders. But the natural product is also used as a tea. To do this, dissolve about two teaspoons of molasses in hot water and add some lemon juice. Alternatively, you can also add milk or fruit juice. If it is too hot for you, you can let it cool down a bit by adding cold water.
Due to its versatility and its positive properties, the natural product is actually an adequate sugar substitute for those who refuse sugar, even if it does not have the same sweetening power. Another advantage is that molasses is sold almost untreated and is therefore considered a natural food. However, molasses contains a lot of calories. With 288 calories per 100 grams , it is well below normal table sugar, but by no means can it be described as low in calories. In addition, it should be emphasized once again that molasses is not suitable as a sugar substitute for diabetics . It consists of 60 percent sucrose, the household sugar, and should therefore only be consumed in moderation in order to reduce the general sugar consumption for the sake of your body.
The pros and cons of molasses
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