Dietitian Süheyla Subaşı Uçar emphasized that molasses can be more poison than healing by producing carcinogenic substances if it comes into contact with 180 degrees of heat.
With the cold weather making itself felt, interest in natural foods that strengthen the immune system has increased. Molasses, which is among the traditional flavors, has become indispensable for the tables in this period. Molasses, especially known for its immune system supporting effect, is frequently consumed in winter months. While molasses, which gives strength to the body thanks to its energizing feature, is known to have a protective effect against diseases such as colds, it becomes harmful to health when exposed to 180 degrees and above. Warning citizens that molasses can produce carcinogenic compounds if exposed to heat of 180 degrees and above, Specialist Dietician Süheyla Subaşı Uçar said, “Harmful substances such as acrylamide and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formed during heat treatment can negatively affect the benefits of molasses and make it harmful to health. For this reason, we do not find it right to use it at high temperatures.”
High temperature is extremely important
Emphasizing that care should be taken not to cook the desserts over 180 degrees, Uçar said, “With the arrival of the winter months, diseases have come to the door. Especially adequate and balanced nutrition is important in this sense. However, it makes sense to add foods such as molasses rich in iron content to the diet. If a person does not have a chronic condition such as diabetes, they can add up to one tablespoon of molasses to their daily diet. Since vitamin C absorption increases, the immune system can be supported by increasing iron absorption by adding ½ spoonful of orange or lemon juice into molasses. However, there is a misunderstanding on one issue. Foods such as honey and molasses are used as an additional sugar substitute to make cookies or cakes healthier. Since the formation of substances known as carcinogenic content increases when these nutrients are used, we do not want to use them at high temperatures. Instead, we will either use sugar in cakes or we can use dried fruits. However, here again, since it is fruit sugar, we should take care not to cook the desserts we make from dried fruits above 180 degrees. In this way, we can make it healthy and consume it by paying attention to the portions.”
“While natural foods contribute, they can also cause obesity”
Stating that we live a sedentary life today, Uçar said, “Our metabolic rate slows down with age. The movement potential of the past does not exist today. Unfortunately, we live a sedentary life today. For this reason, not balancing the extra calorie increase can cause obesity on the one hand, while contributing due to its iron content. Spoonful consumption is not right. Depending on the person's diseases and age, it may be possible to consume a dessert spoon or a tablespoon, but it may not be right to consume it every day. There are personal differences at this point. In this sense, expert dietitians play a role in making plans specific to the person's life.”
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