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DOES DARK OR BLACK STRAP MOLASSES EFFECT INSULIN RESISTANCE?

Oct 21

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Is Molasses In Oriental or Traditional Chinese Medicine?


Molasses is know for its ability to tonify Qi and Blood in TCM. The temperature is know to be warm with a sweet flavor. It enters the lung, stomach, kidney, and liver channels. https://chinesenutrition.org/view_image.asp?pid=759. Black strap molasses is used for stomach and abdominal pain, Qi deficiency, and cough. It has the actions of tonifying deficiency of both Qi and Blood, strengthens the spleen and stomach, lubricates the lungs, and stops cough. It has been recognized as a blood sugar regulator and promotes regular bowel movements and relieves digestion with just a spoonful a day. It can be added to a tea 2 or 3 times a week for digestion. https://www.acupuncture.com/nutrition/molasses1.htm; https://www.jazhandsmassageandacu.com/post/sweet-secrets-the-tcm-magic-of-blackstrap-molasses-for-digestive-health

  


Positive Properties


Black strap molasses has been recognized for its many positive effects. Dr. Axe lists eight properties that includes a reference to insulin resistance https://draxe.com/nutrition/blackstrap-molasses/:


  • RELIEVES PMS SYMPTOMS as it has a high iron content. 

    • Moschonis G, Papandreou D, Mavrogianni C, Giannopoulou A, Damianidi L, Malindretos P, Lionis C, Chrousos GP, Manios Y. Association of iron depletion with menstruation and dietary intake indices in pubertal girls: the healthy growth study. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:423263. doi: 10.1155/2013/423263. Epub 2013 Dec 23. PMID: 24455693; PMCID: PMC3885188. 

  • REDUCES STRESS with it source of B vitamins, calcium and magnesium. Dr. Axe notes that Vitamin B6 raises serotonin levels and modulates mood, pain, depression, and fatigue. 

  • STABILIZES BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS with both a moderate glycemic index and naturally slows the metabolism of glucose and in particularly carbohydrates, thus resulting in less insulin production. One mechanism is the high level of chromium, which increases glucose tolerance.

  • HELPS PREVENT CANCER as a high-antioxidant foods.

  • PROMOTES SKIN HEALTH with it lactic acid content that aids the body in healing acne, and may aid in healing cuts, wounds, burns, and other skin conditions.

    • Garg, T., Ramam, M., Pasricha, J. S., & Verma, K. K. (2002). Long term topical application of lactic acid/lactate lotion as a preventive treatment for acne vulgaris. Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 68(3), 137–139. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17656910/

  • IMPROVES BONE HEALTH as it contains a natural source of calcium.

  • AIDS AS A NATURAL REMEDY FOR ADD AND ADHD with its contents of iron and B vitamins that support the nervous system, brain function, and focus.

  • TREATS ARTHRITIS through anti-inflammatory properties reducing oxidative stress that play a role in pain and fibromyalgia. (Tański, W., Chabowski, M., Jankowska-Polańska, B., & Jankowska, E. A. (2021). Iron metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 25(12), 4325–4335. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202106_26140); (Fernández-Araque, A., Verde, Z., Torres-Ortega, C., Sainz-Gil, M., Velasco-Gonzalez, V., González-Bernal, J. J., & Mielgo-Ayuso, J. (2022). Effects of Antioxidants on Pain Perception in Patients with Fibromyalgia-A Systematic Review. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(9), 2462. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092462)

  • CONTAINS BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL LOWERING POTASSIUM. 10 percent of our potassium RDA is found in two teaspoons of black strap molasses. [A note of caution for those with certain kidney disease that require low potassium intake.]

  • CAN HELP PREVENT ANEMIA as a result of iron-deficiency.

  • MAY AID TREATING CONTIPATION IN CHILDREN. Black strap molasses has ben used in Persian ethnomedicine to treat pediatric constipation. Dehghani et al. (2019), found that defecation was significantly improved.

  • SPECULATED USE TO BOOST HAIR HEALTH

Dark Molasses effect on Insulin Spiking and Insulin Resistance


I remember when I was young the adage of the darker the molasses, the greater the benefits that it can bestow. Most often the darker the molasses the greater the concentration of nutrients that intact with insulin. Wright et al. And Ellis et al. both found filtered molasses concentrate was effective at lowering the glycemic index and insulin in relation to high carbohydrate foods. Ellis et al., concluded that filtered molasses concentrate “can reduce insulin responses and lessen the load on the pancreatic beta cells.” Thus insulin response can be standardized by FMC dose in relation to the amount of carbohydrates in a meal.


Delauer (October 1, 2025) Molasses effects include:


  • impact pancreatic beta cells by helping dysfunctional beta cells to produce insulin again.

  • The more the metabolic damage, the more molasses helped.

  • slowed the uptake of glucose and fructose by intestinal cells

  • Adding molasses to higher starch meals when under a certain dosage

  • Increases amalain - causes glucose a little slower

  • It is a powerful antioxidant that reduces the Ferric effect by making iron more usable

  • Blocks the enzymes that break down sugar and starches -

    • Some blockage on alpha analysis and alpha gluccoidase

    • Acts as a natural carb blocker

  • https://youtu.be/spdv3WQSc8A?si=p0PKdYBdsp1EhoI_


Wright et al. And Ellis et al. both found filtered molasses was effective at lowering the glycemic index and insulin in relation to high carbohydrate foods. Ellis et al., concluded that filtered molasses concentrate “can reduce insulin responses and lessen the load on the pancreatic beta cells.” Thus insulin response can be standardized by FMC dose in relation to the amount of carbhydrates in a meal.



One Suggested Black Strap Molasses Dosage and Use


  • Black strap molasses is best used with high starch meals at lunch or breakfast time. It is not as effective with a high sugar meal.

  • The dosage should be at ½ a tablespoon to a full tablespoon

  • Delauer, T. (October 1, 2025). Molasses Stops Insulin Resistance Almost Immediately (how to use it). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spdv3WQSc8A


Conclusion


Black strap molasses is utilized in TCM as it tonifies the qi and blood. It also has the ability to enter the lungs, stomach, kidney, and liver channels which can be helpful knowing where the body needs more harmony or stabilization. Beyond black strap molasses' high iron, B vitamin, calcium, magnesium, and chromium content are such noted properties to aid the body in stabilizing blood sugar levels, stress, skin health, bone health, mental function, arthritis, and other health issues. Black strap molasses still has the basic properties of a sugar and should be weighed in making a decision about adding it to ones diet. It leaves a good question of how would you add black strap molasses to a diet?

For general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting your healthcare provider or physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright 2025 Stanley Mansfield


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