A great excuse to eat a lot of molasses/ginger cookies

I love most foods that contain molasses. I enjoy the dark, earthy flavor especially in breads, cakes, biscuits, cookies, marinades and sauces. Prior to the end of World War I, molasses was the primary sweetener in the U.S. until the price of refined sugar came down. It turns out that as opposed to refined sugar, molasses is good for us. Molasses is a nutritious byproduct of sugarcane production. During sugar production, molasses becomes a thick, pleasantly bittersweet robust brown liquid. It is not as sweet as sugar.

Benefits of molasses:

Unlike refined sugar, molasses is rich in antioxidants, iron, selenium and copper, all of which keeps our bones healthy and strong.
It also contains manganese which helps prevent the loss of bone density.
It is thought to help treat anemia, and support hair health.
Blackstrap molasses has more iron than eggs
It has more calcium than milk which is important for bones, muscle function, and nerve transmission
It has the same potassium as a banana, which helps regulate blood pressure, supports muscle function, and maintains a healthy heart
It has magnesium which supports muscle function, heart rhythm, and bone strength
If it is used as a sweetener in drinks and food, it does not spike blood sugar as sharply as processed white sugar and can be a good choice for anyone monitoring sugar intake. It has a relatively low glycemic index compared to refined sugar. That being said, it is still a form of sugar, so people with diabetes should be careful because it can still elevate blood sugar.
Molasses contains vitamins B1, B3, B5 and B6 all of which support the metabolic processes, such as production of hormones. Vitamin B6 regulates the production of serotonin, and a recent study concluded that low levels of B6 is associated with symptoms of depression.
Molasses is richer in vitamins and minerals than honey and has fewer calories.

One tablespoon of molasses contains the following amounts of an individual’s recommended daily intake of each nutrient:

manganese: 13%
magnesium: 12%
copper: 11%
vitamin B-6: 8%
selenium: 6%
potassium: 8%
iron: 5%
calcium: 3%

While molasses is said to have anti-inflammatory elements and antioxidants which may help with neuralgia, swollen joints and rheumatism, this has not yet been supported by scientific studies.

How to consume molasses:

ASE reader Chantal C. adds it to her coffee every morning. Others dissolve it in water or milk, add it to smoothies, or drizzle it into oatmeal or yogurt. Or do what I do and make a lot of molasses cookies.