Molasses and Natural Sweeteners

Published: 09/17/2009 - Updated: 07/20/2017

A sweetener is a sugar substitute that can be added in desserts, water, bread and so on. There are artificial and natural sweeteners; one of the properties of these substitutes is that they tend to concentrate the flavor in less, so it gives the same sensation of sweetness for less product, providing less energy (calories). Currently, artificial sweeteners are used very often in light products, which, among other things, mix maltodextrins (such as sucrose, aspartame, neotame, sucralose, etc.), high-intensity artificial sweeteners to achieve the feeling of sweetness required.

Refined sugar is a really unhealthy and consuming it not only carries severe health problems, but overweight, so they have sought ways to replace it and avoid it whenever possible. The controversy of the light products, on which they are good for health or not is something that handles advertising in many forms, many times the information is manipulated by multimillion dollar companies especially soft drinks, sweets and other distorting products that could be a real risk to health as is the use of these artificial sweeteners, which, among other things, carry an internal imbalance that eventually can be truly harmful to the body.

Molasses: their properties and benefits

Molasses, on the other hand, are natural sweetener extracted from various cereals (rice, barley, corn, etc.), berries, fruits or vegetables by a fermentation process. Of all the sweeteners, they are those taking first place in health and nutrition issues. Molasses is usually much softer, more digestible and certainly nutritious and healthy than any refined sugar or artificial sweetener.

Cane Molasses

The cane molasses, for example, is obtained by extracting the cane juice, which undergoes a process of cooking until water evaporates and concentrates the natural sugar in fruit. It tastes like licorice, and has much more nutrition than refined sugar or artificial sweetener. The darker the molasses, most taste and will have more nutrients. The molasses can be used as a sweetener for teas, smoothies, juices, water and desserts.

Maple syrup (honey maple)

This honey or maple syrup is extracted from a Canadian and Nordic tree. When not added with refined sugar, it proves to be a special food to nourish the body, clean it and keep it healthy.

Honey bee

This natural sweetener is one of those that contain more nutrition for the body., Rich in iron, sodium and phosphoric acid, essential for nerve cells, helps to revive, maintain youthful function and body organs, has healing, expectorant and cleansing properties (destroys the toxins without damaging the kidneys or tissues) also promotes cell regeneration, and among other things is the ideal resource of antibiotic and germicide.

Rice molasses

This natural sweetener is derived from rice grain. If environmental or quality, should not contain any additives or coloring. This molasses is great for making juices, water or spread on bread or cake filling. This molasses is indicated for celiac because rice is a gluten-free cereal.

Barley molasses

This molasses is very nutritious, though one is very thick and slightly bitter, high in soluble fiber and protein, and contain calcium, phosphorus and potassium. It is highly recommended in diets for growing children, for people with heart problems or nervous system. It goes well in fruit, bread and to preapre smoothies or juices.

Agave syrup (or honey)

This honey and agave syrup is extracted from the cactus, used by the Incas and Aztecs, honey is a nutritious and healthy, has the medicinal property of regulating glucose levels and is rich in fructo-oligosaccharides, which help the smooth running of intestines n general through its direct effects on production of beneficial intestinal bacteria for the body, and it is good stimulating the growth of intestinal flora, so it is considered a probiotic food.

Stevia

It comes from the spray of a plant of the Amazon, is a sweetener that is calorie and its sweetness is more than 20 times the sugar. This sugar is recommended to regulate blood sugar in diabetics or people with hypoglycemia problems.

Note that …

One must take into account that each natural sweetener has its advantages and disadvantages, in some cases health. For example, molasses from cereals such as wheat or barley  are not recommended for celiacs and diabetics and should use it caution or avoid some of these sweeteners, like molasses. The best thing is without doubt consulting a professional.

About the author
  • K. Laura Garcés G

    Writer, therapist and lecturer. She is a lover of natural medicine and the power of mind and emotions in body and life. In addition, he has studied nutrition and develops appropriate diets to support this healing process.She has written more than 1500 articles in magazines in Spain and Mexico, winner of two literature contests. Linkedin.