Blackstrap Molasses

As part of Dr. Christopher’s Mucusless Diet, he recommended using supplements that help build strength in the body, remove mucus, and revitalize health. Today when people think of supplements, they most often think of individual vitamins or minerals, like iron or zinc that can be taken in a capsule. Dr. Christopher’s supplement recommendations are exactly the opposite – he believed in using whole foods to build a healthy body, so of course his “supplement” recommendations are powerful, nutrient rich foods. 

These supplements are listed in Dr. Christopher’s booklet Three Day Cleansing Program, Mucusless Diet and Herbal Combinations and are: cayenne, apple cider vinegar with honey, kelp, molasses, and wheat germ oil. Each of these plays a role in nurturing a healthy body.

One of my favorite supplements from Dr. Christopher’s list is molasses. He recommended taking 1 tablespoon three times a day of either sorghum syrup or blackstrap molasses. 

What is the difference between sorghum and molasses? Sorghum syrup is made from the green juice of sorghum (a grass that originated in Africa) while molasses is the byproduct of processing sugar cane to make sugar. Sorghum syrup is made by crushing the stalks to extract the juice and then heating the juice to steam off the excess water, leaving the syrup behind. It has a thinner consistency than molasses and a sourer
taste.

Molasses comes in different varieties, sulphured, unsulphered, light, dark and blackstrap. Sulphured molasses is made from young, green sugarcane that
has been treated with sulphur dioxide. Unsulphered molasses comes from ripe sugarcane, and Dr. Christopher always recommended using fully ripe produce. Light, dark, and blackstrap delineations come from the amount of processing done to the sugar cane, each processing removes more sugar crystals leaving behind a nutrient rich goop. Light molasses refers to the first processing and contains the most sugar. Dark molasses is from the second processing and yields a darker color, slightly less sugar,
and more flavor. Blackstrap molasses come from the third processing, is the darkest and most bitter yield, and contains the least amount of sugar and most nutrients than other cane products.

Blackstrap molasses is high in iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, phosphorus, antioxidants, and electrolytes. These are all important supplements for anemia, bone and nerve health, digestion, stabilizing blood sugar, and more. It is a powerhouse! Just a tablespoon provides 20% of the required daily iron intake, 8% of required calcium intake and 10% of magnesium intake.  Sorghum syrup is also high in these nutrients and can be used for the same benefits. 

Whole foods provide nutrients that are easy for the body to utilize. They contain a variety of nutrients – some are extremely beneficial in helping absorption of others. For example, the sulfur, copper, and fructose in molasses help with iron absorption, which helps anemia. Take a spoonful of molasses to help increase energy when feeling run down (iron and electrolytes), or to help relax in the evening (magnesium and potassium). The body will utilize what it needs at the
time, whether that’s channeling more energy for activity, calming the system down to sleep, or utilizing nutrients for healing and regeneration.

Scientific research is constantly finding new benefits for individual vitamins and minerals. This research confirms the truths that herbalists have taught for decades. Vitamins and minerals are important to maintain a healthy body. Furthermore, consuming them in whole, living foods is the optimal way to ensure that you are getting
all these vital nutrients. As more research is done, I believe it will continue to confirm the simple truths that Dr. Christopher taught in the School of Natural Healing. Whole, living foods provide the essential nutrients needed for optimal health. When choosing “supplements” look for nutrient rich, whole foods – you can’t go wrong!