Blackstrap Molasses for Side Effects

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The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Sunny (Up North) on 01/17/2025:
0 out of 5 stars

Why would molasses cause chest pain? It feels like a pinch or muscle cramp in the right collarbone/breastbone area. The area of pain moves gradually to the lower right and fades away. It does not go into the abdomen. It temporarily feels better with massage of the point of pain. The severity and duration seems related to the amount of molasses taken - 1 or 2 tablespoons taken one or more times per day, for one or more days. Even one tablespoon taken once after having none for several weeks caused mild pain. Briar Rabbit and Wholesome are the brands used, both causing pain. Have not contacted the companies yet.

Cat (Athens) on 01/29/2020:
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I had started taking 2 tablespoons of mollases today. I wanted to raise my iron blood levels. I took it with warm water and apple cider vingegar in the morning with an empty stomach. Now it's night and I'm having a terrible headache and feeling sleepy and dizzy. After that and reading all the side effects in other comments too, I'm not sure if I will continue consuming it. Probably not.

Becky (Derbyshire, Uk) on 05/19/2018:
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I have just started taking BSM - only 2 days. I have had a pretty bad headache both days so wondering if this is linked. I have taken 1 tbsp in warm water each morning.

CBM (South Africa ) on 01/13/2018:
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After drinking a crude black molasses I'm feeling drowsy and I'm sleeping a lot. Any idea why?

Problemchild (Roseville) on 10/05/2017:
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I bought Plantation BSM. I was very excited to take it for the energy. I took 1 tablespoon and the next day had explosive diarrhea for hours. I do not have stomach issues or IBS. So I waited 3-4 days and only took a teaspoon. The next day explosive diarrhea. Then I got smart and ordered 2 more bottles of "Organic" BSM. Once again a week or two go by before I try the organic. I start with a teaspoon...the next day explosive diarrhea. What in the world am I doing wrong? I ate food when I took it and I tried on an empty stomach. Why is this happening? Please tell me what the problem could be.

Allain A. (Kissimmee, Fl) on 03/29/2017:
0 out of 5 stars

I've been taking 2 tablespoons of molasses daily for the last 3 days and I've been noticing, hives/rashes on my forehead, legs and thighs, do people sometimes get this bad side effect? Thank you

Sukhdeep (Brampton Ontario Canada) on 04/18/2016:
0 out of 5 stars

I start taking blackstrap molasses yesterday evening - one tablespoon in one cup boiled water I took it last night and today first thing in the morning and some how I been feeling light headed all day today.

Ellen (Penrith, Uk) on 09/17/2015:
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I have started to take a tablespoon of organic molasses neat each morning, I'm guessing this is ok- I don't mind the taste.

My monthly's haven't improved yet but I've only taken it for a month.

My face broke out in spots for a fortnight (when I have never had many before) but now my skin looks better.

I do get a funny feeling in my teeth and sometimes lightheaded. Is there a big difference in regular Blackstrap and organic Blackstrap? :)

C Taylor (Ga) on 05/11/2015:
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I just started taking 1 tbsp of blackstrap molasses two days ago and I noticed I woke up with a mild headache. I didn't take it the the other day to see if that was causing the headaches and I did not wake up with a headache this morning. Am I taking too much?

Elisa (Spain) on 04/20/2015:
0 out of 5 stars

I've been taking BSM for acne since one week ago. It seems to help since first dose (1tbsp/day) to reduce redness and blemishes from everywhere (back, face ...), I have some new pimples but now my face is a lot better. What I'm noticing is that my scalp is very sensitive and I am not sure if my hair is falling more than before but sure my scalp is more sensitive and I am a little concerned. I've read two/three people saying BSM caused them hairloss.

No one noticed anything on scalp? I do not want to stop ...

Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 11/28/2014:
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To those who experience heart palpitations when using bsm, you could have the same problem as me. I had heart palpitations, and my blood pressure, which is normally low normal, shot up so that I could feel a pounding in my head. My cheeks got very red (I thought it was the iron making me healthy). Turns out, I am allergic to cane sugar. When I quit the bsm, everything normalized withing a few weeks.

Tvp (California) on 01/20/2014:
1 out of 5 stars

Just know that whenever you take Epsom salts orally it liquifies everything in your gut and relaxes all of the muscles. Since it liquifies everything in your gut, this is most likely why you had diarrhea.

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Mary (Saskatchewan, Canada) on 08/10/2013:
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Regarding BSM: when I take it it causes sugar cravings and I sometimes am compelled to binge on things I don't normally consider food. For example, white bread and jam (junk my hubby insists in bringing into our house sigh) Even stevia seems to make me want sugar so molasses really does. I am anemic and could really use these absorbable minerals but don't want to gain weight. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

Lori (Delta, Co) on 05/15/2013:
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I have been taking a tablespoon of Blackstrap Molasses for over a year every morning and just got my blood drawn because of my fatigue and blah feeling. Come to find out my ferritin level was high. I am post menopausal so I have stopped taking the molasses due to high iron levels. Beware of taking iron supplements. I really miss taking my molasses because of the potassium and the magnesium. It helps keep me regular. I am afraid to continue with it.

Jefeflounder (Carmel, Ca) on 05/04/2013:
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HIVES! Blackstrap Molasses is giving me hives... I've been taking 1tbsp a day for about six weeks and I just started getting hives on my arm. Same thing happend once when I started taking Niacin. Does anyone know what the two substances have in common that would cause an allergic reaction?

Planky (Ronkonkoma, New York, United States) on 07/23/2012:
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I didn't get acne from molasses but have rash like hives on my arm since I started molasses. I don't know whether to continue or stop taking it. I am taking it for fibroids.

Immich (Las Vegas, Nv, Usa ) on 10/07/2011:
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I've taken 1tbsp, once per day, for 3 days and I'm noticing that it's giving me something like heart palpitations just after taking it, I think this is odd because I've seen it mentioned that it prevents this. Not sure that I will stop taking it just yet, I'm very healthy overall and not too alarmed by this... Has anyone else experienced this???

Charlotte (Seattle, Washington, Usa) on 07/02/2010:
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I agree with Pamm! Beware the spike in blood sugar from blackstrap molasses! I don't have anything to check my blood sugar readings, but I had the same side effects after taking blackstrap molasses in my hot tea a while back when we ran out of our usual sweetener (organic brown sugar). I felt dizzy and faint (but not right away, a few hours later). I stopped taking honey for this same reason.

Very good idea to be able to check your blood sugar, thanks for the reminder Pamm!

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Pamm (Birmingham, Alabama) on 07/02/2010:
1 out of 5 stars

Warning

Beware, I don't have Diabetes. However, after taking this Black strap molasses I started feeling bad and started urinating alot! I checked my blood sugar (I do this for optimal health) and it was 223!! Only after 5 minutes of taking 1 teaspoon of Black Strap Molasses. So Be Careful Especially If You Have High Sugar issues.. I felt Faint, dizzy, and the more you urinate the more potassium and sodium your urinating out. So then you end up being dehydrated. So to me it wasn't worth it..Good Luck!@If you have low blood sugar still be careful..

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Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 04/07/2010:
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Hi Jesse, I did the same for the past two days and I had bad diarrhea. Before I went on holidays I would take a teaspoon of molasses every morning, sometimes one in the evening and it wasn't this bad. Now I will stop for a few days and start with a lower dose. I had no idea that molasses was used for constipation...... A pity because now instead of getting all the good stuff in molasses I am loosing all the nutrients of anything else I eat.

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Jesse (Holmdel, Nj) on 04/05/2010:
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Question....I have just started to use 3 teaspoons of Black Strap Molasses with 1 tablespoon ACV in water. In half an hour I will have diaherrea for a few hours. Is this normal or I am allegic to BSM? When I drink ACV, I don't have that problem.

EC: Blackstrap molasses is known to be a very effective cure for constipation!

Conversion: 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon

K. S. (Houston, TX, USA) on 06/19/2009:
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Adverse side effects: I've been taking 1 T BSM every morning for one week and, unfortunately, have suffered bad headaches and stomachaches since. It also happens that I was on my period and the clots were heavier than ever! I suppose BSM just doesn't work for everyone. Such a shame.

David (New York, NY) on 03/20/2009:
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I'm in the same boat as Cindy from Monroe, WI. I don't know why but ever since I started taking BSM (1 Tablespoon in the morning) it seems to be having the exact opposite influence on me than what it's stated to help with. This is my 7th day taking it.

I've been taking ACV (1 tblsp. 3x a day with a cup of water) for 3 weeks now and DE (Diatomaceous Earth)for 2 weeks and things seem to be going pretty well until I added the BSM. I've suffered from constipation, bloating, anxiety, heart palpitations and so on :( It's such an awful feeling to be constipated and bloated...yuck! So while I was on just the ACV and DE its helped a lot. I don't really get bloated and when I been going to the bathroom 1-3 x a day. And when I went to the bathroom I would feel lighter and emptied out for the most part.

Now ever since I've incorporated the BSM into my routine it hasn't had the same effect on me as it has on most people here and I would like to keep taking it because of all the health benefits it seems to have. By taking this I thought I would be going to the bathroom more and releasing like crazy. Unfortnately that hasn't happenned. I still do go to the bathroom at least 2x a day but it just doesn't feel the same. It feels like I have to struggle more kind of and when I do release it's not as much as before when I wasn't taking it. I don't feel as light after going to the bathroom...kind of still a little full and slightly bloated.

It also seems to have made my heart palpitations more noticeable and I feel this throughout the day from just taking the BSM in the morning. So I think the BSM has given me more or less some anxiety, constipation & heart palpitations...WHATS UP WITH THAT!! :(

I've taking the BSM a couple of ways and don't really care for any of them...I've taking it straight followed with some water, mixed it in a cup of cold water, put it in my cereal and have also poured it over my cooked oatmeal.

I really don't want to stop taking the BSM(especially if it helps with stopping your hair go gray...not that I really have that problem now but later on down the road..I'm in my early thirties) so if anyone can help with any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Maybe I should put the 1 Tablsp. of BSm in some boiling/hot water maybe that would help some how...how I don't know but maybe it will. Or maybe I should take like 2 teaspoons in the morning and 1 teaspoon in the afternoon(3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon as far as I know).

Thanks to whomever read this mess that I wrote and for any help :)

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Cindy (Monroe, WI) on 03/03/2009:
0 out of 5 stars

I have been reading all these testimonies and I just don't have the same experiences as you guys. I didn't have a problem with constipation before I took bsm but it did give me terrible stomach aches. I mixed 1 tablespoon of bsm in a small 4oz glass of 100% grape juice and it made me irregular. I had to quit drinking this because of my stomach aches. Has anyone else had this problem.

Eva Alvarez (Orlando, Florida) on 01/27/2009:
0 out of 5 stars

I was wondering if any one who has been taking molases has experience weigh gain. The reason why i ask is because i have a friend who was drinking molases and gained over 12 pounds in about 30 days. is this typical?

Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 01/11/2009:
0 out of 5 stars

ok - this sucks. i had just started taking molasses and i thought i was onto something wonderful. i actually craved it - and i am diabetic so i never even took an entire tablespoon at once - but even on doses as small as one teaspoon once per day my blood sugar skyrocketed. now this doesn't make sense because there is only 10-14 grams of sugar in one tablespoon - so one teaspoon would be like 4 grams which is nothing in the scheme of things. well, my body didn't react well. i even got diahrreah and abdomen pains and very high blood sugar.... and i still feel weird today even though i haven't taken it since yesterday. magnesium is supposed to lower blood sugar i thought. what is going on? any ideas? could it be the iron? how could this be too big a dose for me? i was also taking epsom salts 1/2 teaspoon a day and soaking in epsom salt baths which i still do - i have however discontinued the oral epsom salts. could it be too much magnesium?

my tree of life brand has 10 per tablespoon of magnesium - which seems like not much.
djh/texas

Arsie (Los Angeles, California) on 09/17/2008:
0 out of 5 stars

I started taking one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses about four days ago and noticed the second day that about 3 hours after taking it I got a throbbing headache. I also feel a slight tingling all over my body a few hours after I take it? Is this normal? Do you think someone can develop diabetes from taking molasses first thing in the morning for long periods of time?

Gloria (Weslaco, TX) on 12/19/2007:
0 out of 5 stars

I am a 53 yr. woman that has been using ACV and oil pulling for about two months now. One of my problems had been swelling of my ankles wrists, & lymph nodes. Since I have been oil pulling, and using ACV the swelling has decreased alot even when I sit long periods of time. One thing that happened while I was taking blkstrap molasses 1 tbs. a.m. and one before bedtime. I gained weight because of the rich vitamins so I cut down to just 1 tbs. before bed. Oh! and the spider veins are fading around my ankles and legs. Where do I get colorless iodine?

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Blackstrap Molasses for Side Effects