Constipation is a condition in which either stools are hard to pass or they are infrequent. This can cause lots of discomfort. If chronic constipation is not treated properly then it can lead to complications such as hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fecal impaction.
If you do not consume enough water or if your food lacks fiber then your risks of constipation increase. Your digestive system will get disrupted and the required digestive enzymes and acids will not do their job properly causing constipation.
There are many ways to get rid of constipation. Try blackstrap molasses, which is one of the most effective home remedies for constipation.
What is Blackstrap Molasses?
Blackstrap molasses is produced from the sugarcane. In fact it is a byproduct during the sugar refining process.
Sugar refining process goes through many steps of boiling the sugar cane juice. Blackstrap molasses is the residue in the third stage of boiling of sugarcane juice.
Since most of the sugar is already extracted through the refining process the blackstrap molasses has very low sugar content. All the other nutrients of sugarcane are present in the Blackstrap Molasses. This makes blackstrap molasses more nutritional as compared to the sugar which does not have any nutritional value.
Nutritional Facts of Blackstrap Molasses
According to USDA data 100 grams of blackstrap molasses has the following nutritions. ( % figures are the % of Daily Values )
Calories 290
- Total Fat 0.1 g 0%
- Saturated fat 0 g 0%
- Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g
- Monounsaturated fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
- Sodium 37 mg 1%
- Potassium 1,464 mg 41%
- Total Carbohydrate 75 g 25%
- Dietary fiber 0 g 0%
- Sugar 75 g
- Protein 0 g 0%
- Vitamin B-6 35%
- Calcium 20%
- Iron 26%
- Magnesium 60%
How Does Blackstrap Molasses Treat Constipation?
Trace minerals and other nutrients in blackstrap molasses help to deal with digestion problems and constipation.
- It is alkaline in nature, therefore it balances the pH in the stomach. It also helps the stool to become soft and pass through the rectum with ease.
- It acts as a natural laxative.
- The blackstrap molasses is rich in iron magnesium and Vitamin B6 which helps digestion.
The combined effect of all these capabilities makes black strip molasses one of the best home remedies for constipation.
How to Use Blackstrap Molasses for Constipation Treatment?
You can use blackstrap molasses in a number of ways to treat your constipation problems. You can simply use it all alone or add other constipation removing constituents for better results. In most cases Blackstrap Molasses alone does a very good job to relieve you from the troubles of hard stools.
1. Only Blackstrap Molasses
In the most cases, just consuming plain simple organic blackstrap molasses will do the job of relieving your constipation well.
You can consume one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses like taking any cough syrup. It might be a bit strong for some, but you can do it.
You can also add 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses into your breakfast cereal, smoothies, milk, tea coffee, juices and deserts.
You can think of any other food item where a little sweetness doesn't do any harm to the taste. Just add 1 tablespoon and enjoy the food.
Blackstrap molasses will make the food colour dark and sometimes dark color food looks good. You can also use it as a syrup on waffles and pancakes.
Adding it to baked foods such as cookies and cakes will not only help your constipation but also add good taste to these foods.
2. Blackstrap Molasses With warm water
This is a simple and effective way to consume Blackstrap Molasses to treat constipation.
- Take a cup of warm water and add 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses.
- Mix it well
- Sip and enjoy the drink.
If you don't like the taste then add some more water and dilute it. The best time to drink it with warm water is just before going to bed.
3. Blackstrap Molasses with Milk
You can add blackstrap molasses to hot milk and drink it to relieve your constipation. The best time to do it is in the morning before consuming any other thing.
- Add 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses in a glass of hot milk
- Mix it well and sip it to enjoy it.
If you don't like the dairy milk then you can add rice milk. Making rice milk is very easy. Cook your rice as you normally do but add a little more water then you will generally use.
After the rice is cooked, strain the extra water in a glass. This is your rice milk. It is fiber rich starch which helps to soften the stools.
Add one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses to the rice water and mix it well before drinking it. Drink it daily for a week to ensure that your constipation problems are relieved.
4. Blackstrap Molasses with Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is antibacterial liquid which can help treat the bad bacteria in your gut that may be causing constipation and other digestive problems. ACV also contains a water soluble fibre called pectin which helps to soften the stools.
Mixing blackstrap molasses and apple cider vinegar becomes a double edge sword to treat constipation.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in an empty glass.
- Fill the glass with warm water and mix it very well.
- Slowly sip and enjoy the drink.
Apple cider vinegar interacts with some diabetes drugs and diuretics. So if you are taking these drugs then do not consume apple cider vinegar. There are many other options to relieve your constipation with blackstrap molasses.
5. Blackstrap Molasses with Prune Juice
Prune juice on its own is a very good remedy for constipation relief. Many scientific researchers have concluded the usefulness of prune juice in treating constipation.
Prune juice and blackstrap molasses make an excellent combination to deal with constipation in children and adults both.
- Take one glass of prune juice
- Add one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses and mix it well.
- Drink it early in the morning everyday.
6. Blackstrap Molasses with Castor Oil
Castor oil is an excellent natural laxative, but some people find it difficult to consume it. If you are one of such people who hates castor oil then you may find it acceptable in taste when you add blackstrap molasses.
Add1 tablespoon of castor oil to one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses.
Mix well to make homogeneous mixture
Consume it through spoon
7. Blackstrap Molasses with Honey
Honey and molasses make it effective laxative to treat constipation but it is a high calorie method. So keep a watch on your total calorie intake when you take this remedy to make your bowel move. This combination is also a high sugar combination, so if you have diabetes, you can safely avoid this method.
- Add one tablespoon of honey to one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses in a small bowl.
- Mix it well and lick it slowly. It tastes sweet.
- Take it 2-3 times a day to relieve your constipation.
How to use blackstrap molasses for babies and children
Understanding constipation in babies is a very complex process. How infrequent is the infrequent bowel movement in toddlers? Some doctors will consider once in a week bowel movement normal. As a parent you really won't accept this and perhaps ask for a second opinion from another doctor who might like to treat it as constipation.
If your toddler has not pooped for more than two days and doesn't show any signs of discomfort, then you still don't have to worry. If you are concerned then you can try natural remedies to relieve your child from constipation and relieve yourself from anxieties.
Blackstrap Molasses works well with toddlers and children who have constipation and abdominal pain. You shouldn't give Blackstrap Molasses daily. Once or twice weekly is generally the right dose as children do not require to go to the toilet as frequently as adults need to.
Method
You can add Blackstrap Molasses to baby food or give it directly. This is the direct feeding method
- Mix one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses in 2 tablespoons of warm water
- Feed you baby or child with this
- Do it 2- 3 times a week
In addition to the above, make sure you feed high fiber food of fruits, vegetables, legumes and enough liquids.
What are the side effects of Blackstrap Molasses and precautions if any?
It is important to use the right kind of blackstrap molasses. Make sure that your molasses is sulphate free and is organic.
Since blackstrap molasses is rich in iron, limit its consumption. Too much iron in food can cause constipation.
There are no other major side effects of blackstrap molasses so you can consume it without much botheration. You may have to continue taking it for a few days to get the desired results of constipation relief.
If all the above natural remedies for constipation relief by blackstrap molasses do not work in your case then consult your doctor to rule out any other underlying health complication. Sometimes constipation is simply not a bad digestion issue but may be caused by other diseases which should be treated to get relief.
If you don't like the taste of blackstrap molasses, then you can use the supplements. take one capsule every day to relieve your constipation.