Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : #Healthy Foods

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

#Healthy Foods - Blackstrap molasses

Blackstrap molasses
Molasses is the juice is boiled to concentration which promotes the crystallization of the sugar, made by extracting from the canes, usually by crushing or mashing, after the sugar cane plant is harvested and stripped of its leaves. The concentration of this first boiling and of the sugar crystals is first molasses, which has the highest sugar content.
Blackstrap molasses is the third boiling of the sugar syrup with of sucrose from the original juice has been crystallized and removed.

Nutritional Supplements

1. Glucose
2. Fructose
3. Biotin

4. Calcium
5. Potassium
6. Chloride
7. Manganese
8. Selenium
9. Copper
10. Iron
11. Magnesium
12. Potassium
13. Etc.

Health benefits
A. Health benefits according to studies
1. Antioxidant
In the investigation of raw cane sugar, plant saps/syrups (eg, maple syrup, agave nectar), molasses, honey, and fruit sugars (eg, date sugar) and the total antioxidant content of natural sweeteners found that ark and blackstrap molasses had the highest FRAP (4.6 to 4.9 mmol/100 g), while maple syrup, brown sugar, and honey showed intermediate antioxidant capacity (0.2 to 0.7 mmol FRAP/100 g). Based on an average intake of 130 g/day refined sugars and the antioxidant activity measured in typical diets, substituting alternative sweeteners could increase antioxidant intake an average of 2.6 mmol/day, similar to the amount found in a serving of berries or nuts, according to "Total antioxidant content of alternatives to refined sugar" by Phillips KM, Carlsen MH, Blomhoff R.(a)

2. Vibrio furnissii M1
In the observation of "Production of alternatives to fuel oil from organic waste by the alkane-producing bacterium, found that Crude blackstrap molasses were also converted into alkanes with a conversion ratio of 20% (half of that in an authentic sucrose medium) of the total carbon consumption, according to "Production of alternatives to fuel oil from organic waste by the alkane-producing bacterium, Vibrio furnissii M1" by Park MO, Heguri K, Hirata K, Miyamoto K.(b)

3. Microbial production
In the observation of microbial production of fermentation of blackstrap molasses
found that A two-stage fermentation process was developed for the conversion of sugar or molasses of various types to propionic acid and vitamin B12. By fermentation of blackstrap molasses (from sugar beet and sugar cane) in the first fermentation stage 17.7 g propionic acid l-1 with a yield of 0.5 g propionic acid g-1 carbohydrate was produced with a dilution rate of 0.25 h-1. In the second stage 49 mg vitamin B12 1-1 was produced at a dilution rate of 0.03 h-1.(c)

4. Etc.

B. Health benefits according to concentration
1. Manganese
Beside it is important in forming connective tissues and building of essential enzymes for building healthy bones, manganese also helps in regulating the normal function of of thyroid growth hormone, according to the study of "The effect of manganese supply on thyroid hormone metabolism in the offspring of manganese-depleted dams" by Eder K, Kralik A, Kirchgessner M., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8971361) and blood sugar level, according to the study of "Manganese corroles prevent intracellular nitration and subsequent death of insulin-producing cells" by Okun Z, Kupershmidt L, Amit T, Mandel S, Bar-Am O, Youdim MB, Gross Z., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715343)

2. Copper and Iron
Copper plays a role in a wide range of physiological processes, such as iron utilization of enhancing the hemoglobin. and reduction of malabsorption syndrome. according to the study of "Beneficial effect of goat milk on nutritive utilization of iron and copper in malabsorption syndrome" by Barrionuevo M, Alferez MJ, Lopez AI, Sanz SM, Campos MS., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11949871). Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin in transporting oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, thus increasing the energy use for daily activities.

3. Calcium
In the investigation of micronutrients, calcium (Ca) and inorganic (i) phosphate (P) ,the two main constituents of hydroxyapatite and theirs effect on bone health found that they are endowed with a transport system that accumulates Pi inside the matrix vesicles, followed by the influx of Ca ions. This process leads to the formation of hydroxyapatite crystal and its subsequent association with the organic matrix collagen fibrils. In addition to this structural role, both Ca and Pi positively influence the activity of bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells. Pi plays a role in the maturation of osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone. Osteocytes are implicated in bone mineralization and systemic Pi homeostasis, according to "Calcium and phosphate: a duet of ions playing for bone health" by Bonjour JP.(1)

4. Potassium
Potassium beside is important in maintaining the regular contraction and relaxation of the muscle, that helps to reducing the risk of hypokalemia, it also helps the lymphatic system in regulating the levels of fluid in the body, thus lessening the risk of lymphedema, swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph fluid. In a study of "Narrative review: evolving concepts in potassium homeostasis and hypokalemia" by Greenlee M, Wingo CS, McDonough AA, Youn JH, Kone BC., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19414841), researchers found that recent experimental insights into the participation of feedback and feedforward control mechanisms in potassium homeostasis. New data make clear that feedforward homeostatic responses activate when decreased potassium intake is sensed, even when plasma potassium concentration is still within the normal range and before frank hypokalemia ensues, in addition to the classic feedback activation of renal potassium conservation when plasma potassium concentration decreases.

5. Etc.

C. Other health benefits

1. Bone density

Since blackstrap molassaes contains high amount of calcium, it helps to build stronger, denser bones early in life and keeps bones strong and healthy later in life, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium, according to the article of "Calcium supplements in people with osteoporosi" by John G F Cleland, Klaus Witte, Sue Steel, posted in BMJ (http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c3856.full), researchers wrote that Calcium supplements, given alone, improve bone mineral density,but they are ineffective in reducing the risk of fractures and might even increase risk.

3. Glucose and Fructose
Glucose and Fructose are simple sugar (monosaccharide) played an important role to enhance energy production in carbohydrate metabolism for brain cells need, through a chain chemical action of insulin produced by pancreas and potassium.

4. Magnesium
Beside helping to maintain the healthy bone through the proper ratio with calcium, according to the study of "Magnesium deficiency and osteoporosis: animal and human observations" by Rude RK, Gruber HE., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15607643) magnesium also plays an essential role in relieving acute asthma by promoting the relaxation of bronchial muscles and normalizing breathing, according to the study of "Inhaled magnesium sulfate in the treatment of acute asthma" by Blitz M, Blitz S, Beasely R, Diner BM, Hughes R, Knopp JA, Rowe BH., posted in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16235345) researchers found that Nebulised inhaled magnesium sulfate in addition to beta2-agonist in the treatment of an acute asthma exacerbation, appears to have benefits with respect to improved pulmonary function in patients with severe asthma and there is a trend towards benefit in hospital admission. Heterogeneity between trials included in this review precludes a more definitive conclusion.

5. Etc

Side effects