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I was talking to a friend the other day and she mentioned that as she feels tired a lot because of her endless work, she started taking iron supplements.
That got me thinking…
I find this often that people turn to supplements if they think that they lack some vitamin or mineral.
I wondered, how can I help my readers relieve tiredness and fatigue naturally whilst boosting iron levels?
We all know about honey, maple syrup, and maybe even agave. But have you ever heard of black treacle? Black treacle is usually added when making gingerbread biscuits. But that is usually it. Most people don’t think of black treacle as anything more than an ingredient in baking.
What you might not know is that black treacle has many health benefits.
If you prioritise natural ingredients and living sustainably, black treacle is about to become your new favourite sweetener!
On this page you will find:
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission should you make a purchase using these links.
What is Black Treacle?
Black treacle, sometimes called molasses, is a dark, viscous syrup made from sugarcane or sugar beet juice. Black treacle is not refined sugar.
Black treacle includes essential minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium and most of the B vitamins.
B vitamins are essential for keeping skin, eyes and the nervous system healthy, help the body form haemoglobin (what the red blood cells consist of); and help make red blood cells.
Plus, it is a by-product of the sugar making industry, making it an eco-friendly alternative to processed sugars.
Black Treacle Nutritional Health Benefits
When you think of sweeteners, you might not imagine them having any health benefits, but black treacle is different. Here’s how this natural sweetener can improve your health:
Rich in Iron
One of the standout black treacle health benefits is its iron content. Just one tablespoon of black treacle contains about 20% of your recommended daily intake of iron. This makes black treacle a great addition to the diet, especially for women. You can get a natural iron boost with black treacle. It’s also a vegan-friendly iron source.
Boosts Energy Levels
Because of its iron and natural sugars, black treacle can help boost your energy levels without the crash you might experience from refined sugar. It’s a slow-release carbohydrate, which means it provides a steady energy source. Next time you're feeling tired, add some black treacle to your morning oatmeal or smoothie for a natural energy boost. Black treacle is great for busy mums because you can include it in your food. You don't have to think about taking additional supplements.
Just make it part of your daily diet.
Black Treacle Improves Digestion
Health benefits of black treacle do not stop there. Black treacle is a natural laxative due to its magnesium content, helping to support healthy digestion. If you struggle with constipation, a teaspoon of black treacle mixed with warm water or tea can do wonders for your gut health. Make sure you don’t have too much because black treacle is a very effective laxative.
Skin and Hair Benefits of Black Treacle
The high mineral content of black treacle can also improve skin health and even strengthen your hair. Keep reading to find out.
Fights Skin Ageing
Black treacle contains antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that can cause premature ageing. Incorporating black treacle into your diet may help maintain your skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines due to its copper content. Copper helps form collagen making black treacle a natural alternative to expensive skincare treatments.
Promotes Healthy Hair
Thanks to its high iron content and vitamin B6, black treacle can also benefit your hair. Iron is essential for healthy blood circulation and vitamin B6 helps produce red blood cells. Blood carries all the nutrients all over your body, including to hair follicles. This promotes healthy hair because your hair is getting the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Although black treacle is full of benefits for skin and hair, it can only do so much.
Don't expect glossy thick hair and glass skin overnight. However, over time, black treacle can really make a difference.
I have read some claims that black treacle can reverse grey hair, but I am yet to see any evidence.
How to Use Black Treacle in Your Diet
Now that you’re hopefully excited about the health benefits of black treacle, let's talk about some easy ways to include it in your daily routine. Whether you're baking, cooking, or just looking for a sweet touch to your meals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy black treacle.
Baking with Black Treacle
Black treacle adds a rich, caramel-like flavour to baked goods. It’s perfect for gingerbread, cakes, and cookies. Replace refined sugar or other sweeteners with an equal amount of black treacle in your recipes.
Add to Smoothies
Add a tablespoon of black treacle to your morning smoothie. Not only will it sweeten your drink naturally, but you’ll also get a healthy dose of iron and energy-boosting nutrients.
Incorporate into Sauces and Dressings
For a savoury twist, use black treacle in marinades or salad dressings. It pairs beautifully with mustard, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce, giving your dishes a deep, rich flavour. Black treacle is absolutely amazing on salmon.
Sweeten Your Breakfast
Black treacle works wonderfully when drizzled over oatmeal, yogurt, or pancakes. It's a healthier alternative to maple syrup and honey, offering more minerals while still satisfying your sweet tooth.
Don't forget though, that black treacle still has a high sugar content. Eat black treacle in moderation. But, you can easily replace sugar with black treacle. Black treacle is nutritious and has a lower sugar content than processed sugar.
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Black Treacle for Women's Health
For women, black treacle can be helpful, especially when it comes to menstrual health. The combination of iron, calcium, and magnesium may even help alleviate symptoms of PMS. For example:
- Iron for Energy: During menstruation, women often experience a drop in iron levels, which can lead to fatigue. Black treacle’s high iron content helps combat this.
- Calcium for bone health: women’s bones are prone to osteoporosis so it is important to have adequate calcium intake. The recommended calcium intake increases for older women. Black treacle helps increase calcium intake because it contains 5% of calcium per portion.
Black Treacle - A Sustainable and Natural Remedy
If you’re committed to living sustainably, you’ll be happy to know that black treacle is an eco-friendly choice. It is a by-product of the sugar refining process, which means it helps reduce waste in sugar production. Many brands offer organic black treacle, ensuring it’s free from harmful pesticides and produced in a way that respects the environment.
Some producers offer ethically sourced black treacle, meaning it's harvested in a way that respects both the environment and the people involved in its production. This makes it an excellent choice if you prioritize sustainability, cruelty-free products, and ethical food sourcing.
Conclusion: Make Black Treacle a Sweet Addition to Your Diet
From boosting energy to improving digestion, and even enhancing skin and hair health, black treacle is truly a natural sweetener with a long list of benefits. It's also a more sustainable and ethical choice compared to refined sugars. Black treacle can replace sugar completely.
Try adding this nutrient-rich sweetener to your diet and see what difference it makes to your health.
Don’t forget to share your favourite black treacle recipes in the comments below and spread the word about this nutritious alternative to sugar!
Commonly asked questions about black treacle
Can black treacle replace sugar?
Black treacle can definitely replace sugar. Black treacle is a natural sweetener, but it contains less sugar. Black treacle is a by product of the sugar making industry making it environmentally friendly. Black treacle has les sugar than honey even, but it is still sweet. This means that black treacle is a great replacement for sugar.
Is black treacle vegan?
Yes, black treacle is vegan. Black treacle is a by product of the sugar making industry, so it is 100% plant-based.
Is black treacle good for you?
Black treacle is great for you! As mentioned above, black treacle is full of iron, which helps keep blood healthy; most of the B vitamins, which help with many bodily functions including improving digestion, skin elasticity and hair quality. Black treacle is lower in sugar than more traditional sweeteners.
Why trust The Clear Sky?
I am an educator and l am passionate about providing people with information about the beauty industry so they can be empowered to make an informed choice when spending their money. I take time to research beauty products. I recommend beauty products that are non toxic, have natural ingredients and often plastic free.
With over a decade of personal experience using natural ingredients for skin, hair and body I also provide many beauty tips which are simple, innovative and sustainable.
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