If you are anemic, you may be searching for effective and natural treatments to help alleviate your anemia symptoms. Depending on the cause and severity of your anemia, there are many effective and natural treatments that can help raise your hemoglobin levels, and blackstrap molasses is one of those. We share with you the importance of treating your anemia as well as the many benefits that blackstrap molasses can have for your health.

What is Anemia?

Your red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which is a protein that helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the various tissues of your body. When you lack sufficient hemoglobin in your blood, you are anemic. This condition results in your cells not getting enough oxygen, which can result in a number of uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous symptoms.

Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, so if you are deficient in iron, you can develop anemia. You get iron from the various foods you consume, so if your diet is low in iron, you can become anemic. You can also become anemic if you lose more hemoglobin or iron that you produce or take in. For this reason, menstruating women and people with internal bleeding are at risk for developing anemia. The other cause of anemia is poor iron absorption, which can be caused by several diseases.

Anemia most often results in fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, headaches, shortness of breath, poor circulation in the hands and feet, and an irregular heartbeat. Some people with anemia may crave strange foods, including ice, soil, paper, and clay for no apparent reason. In severe cases, you may have a tingling feeling in your legs or your tongue may become swollen or tender. Other symptoms include brittle nails and hair loss.

Blackstrap Molasses for Anemia

When sugar is refined and made into various products, the raw sugar cane is mashed to create a liquid, which is then boiled and reduced into cane syrup. If the syrup is boiled a second time, the result is molasses. A third reduction and boiling creates blackstrap molasses, which is a dark, very thick syrup. This final reduction leaves behind all the minerals and vitamins from the sugar cane, which includes high concentrations of iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and Vitamin B6.

The strong nutritional value of this food makes it an excellent treatment for many nutrition-related illnesses and conditions, including anemia. Five tablespoons of blackstrap molasses, for example, contain nearly your entire daily recommended allowance of iron. That means it is an effective natural option for those with anemia.

You can cook with blackstrap molasses, using it as a sugar substitute in many recipes. Because it has a lower sugar content than refined sugar or regular molasses, it is a good option for diabetics who need to watch their sugar intake. You can also drink blackstrap molasses by adding it to a mug of warm water or milk or by adding it to your favorite smoothie recipe.

As a fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-sodium food, blackstrap molasses is safe to use for many people with chronic health conditions. Consume no more than one tablespoon a day to enjoy its full benefits, and take blackstrap molasses in conjunction with a healthy diet rich in plant-based sources of iron.

Blackstrap molasses is also great for strengthening your bones. In addition to the necessary calcium your bones need, the high magnesium content also helps to prevent osteoporosis and strengthen your bones. Many people find taking this sweetener reduces symptoms of PMS, while still others report strong hair and nails. Blackstrap molasses is also a gentle and effective laxative.