What is Blackstrap Molasses? Molasses Nutritional Information

Blackstrap molasses is one type of molasses that has a viscous thick texture.



It is basically a byproduct obtained in the process of refining sugarcane juice to table sugar. It is a dark colored thick byproduct as it is derived from the third boiling of sugar syrup.



It is available throughout the year and its bittersweet flavor can be enjoyed in various recipes like ginger bread and baked beans.

Molasses Nutritional Facts: Nutritional Value of Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is a natural sweetener which can be used to effectively to replace table sugar.



Unlike other artificial sweeteners, blackstrap molasses provides a variety of nutrients to promote good health with fewer calories.

Iron and calcium 

Blackstrap molasses is a very good source of calcium and iron. It can help boost your iron store which is an important constituent of hemoglobin without providing more calories and negligible fat as compared to red meat. It is particularly important for menstruating women who are at a greater risk for getting iron deficiency and pregnant or lactating women, growing children and adolescents where the requirements are increased.

Calcium is an important mineral required for the bone growth and other physiological activities including muscle contraction, blood clotting, enzyme activity regulation, nerve impulse conduction and function of the cell membrane. Only 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses would provide 13.3% of the daily value for iron and 11.8% daily value for calcium.

Other minerals

Besides iron and calcium, blackstrap molasses is also rich in manganese, copper, magnesium and potassium.




Copper is required for utilization of iron in the body and is involved in many other physiological processes involving enzymatic reactions, eliminating free radicals, production of melanin which is a skin and hair pigment, and development of connective tissue and bone. A host of medical problems can occur in case of inadequate copper intake like ruptured blood vessels, iron deficiency anemia, high LDL and low HDL cholesterol, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, irregular heart beat or brain disturbances.

Manganese is an important trace mineral required for the production of energy from carbohydrates and proteins. It is also an important component of superoxide dismutase which is an antioxidant enzyme found in the mitochondria.
Potassium is important nutrient for muscle contraction, nerve conduction, maintaining electrolyte and acid-base balance in the body.

Magnesium is necessary for energy production and the development of healthy bones. It is a natural calcium channel blocker and prevents calcium entering the nerve cells and activating them.
Only 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses would provide 14.0% of the daily value for copper, 18.0% daily value for manganese, 9.7 % daily value for potassium and 7.3% daily value for magnesium.