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Honey vs. Molasses — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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Article author photo Christelle  Tchakerian by Christelle Tchakerian | Last updated on April 06, 2021
Medically reviewed by Arpi Gasparyan Article author photo Arpi Gasparyan
Honey
vs
Molasses

Summary

Molasses is cheaper than honey. Molasses is also richer in vitamins and minerals.

Honey has better wound-healing effects than molasses. Honey is richer in carbohydrates but is lower in terms of the glycemic index compared to molasses.

Introduction

Honey is a valued natural product made by insects from the nectar of flowers. The use of honey by different ancient populations began around 5500 years ago. It has been used as food as well as for therapeutic and medicinal purposes (1). The type of honey varies depending on the flower from which it is obtained.

On the other hand, molasses is an artificial concentrate of sugar beet or sugarcane juice (2). The type of molasses depends on the source and the degree of refinement or boiling (3). Molasses can be used as a food product, cattle feed, and soil fertilizer.

Both molasses and honey are linked with health benefits as well as potential side effects. In this article, the nutritional attributes of honey and molasses will be compared and contrasted.

Cooking and Use

Honey and molasses have more moisture than sugar. It would be best to be careful when adding an extra amount of liquid to the product during the substitution. Each of the food items will contribute a different taste and color to the recipe.

One study showed that the substitution of sugar with honey in baking dough improved its shelf life (4).

Research showed that heating honey produces high amounts of a chemical called 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which may be toxic (5). A longer period of time and a higher temperature result in higher HMF content (6).

Taste

Both foods are sweet and are used as substitutes for sugar.

As the honey gets more and more refined, it gradually loses its natural taste. Honey is lighter tasting and fruitier as well. Honey is sweeter than molasses, especially if it is highly refined.

On the other hand, highly refined molasses has a heavier taste, almost approaching bitterness.

Nutrition

We will use the infographics below to compare the nutritional content of honey and molasses.

Minerals

Mineral-wise, molasses is considered to be richer. Molasses is higher in iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus.

On the other hand, honey contains around 89.2% less sodium than molasses. It is worth noting that molasses is significantly richer in magnesium (by 12000%) compared to honey.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Honey
1
:
Contains less Sodium -89.2%
Contains more Calcium +3316.7%
Contains more Iron +1023.8%
Contains more Magnesium +12000%
Contains more Phosphorus +675%
Contains more Potassium +2715.4%
Contains more Zinc +31.8%
Contains more Copper +1252.8%
Contains more Manganese +1812.5%
Contains more Selenium +2125%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 2% 16% 2% 2% 5% 1% 6% 12% 11% 5%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 62% 177% 173% 14% 130% 5% 8% 163% 200% 98%
Contains less Sodium -89.2%
Contains more Calcium +3316.7%
Contains more Iron +1023.8%
Contains more Magnesium +12000%
Contains more Phosphorus +675%
Contains more Potassium +2715.4%
Contains more Zinc +31.8%
Contains more Copper +1252.8%
Contains more Manganese +1812.5%
Contains more Selenium +2125%

Vitamins

Based on vitamin content, molasses is richer in vitamin B3 and vitamin B5. In contrast, honey is richer in vitamin B2.

Molasses contains vitamin B1, while honey lacks it. On the other hand, honey contains vitamin C and folate, while molasses lacks it.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Honey
3
:
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +1800%
Contains more Folate +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +668.6%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +1082.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +2691.7%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 0% 0% 0% 2% 0% 9% 3% 5% 6% 2% 0% 0%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 0% 0% 0% 0% 11% 1% 18% 49% 155% 0% 0% 0%
Contains more Vitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +1800%
Contains more Folate +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +668.6%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +1082.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +2691.7%

Calories

Honey is higher in calories compared to molasses.

Carbohydrates

Honey is higher in carbohydrates. 300g serving of honey covers around 82% of our daily carbohydrate needs. In comparison, 300g of molasses cover around 75%. Moreover, honey is richer in sugars with a difference of 7.4 g.

Glycemic Index

Honey has a lower glycemic index compared to molasses.

Fats

Both foods contain almost no fats and no cholesterol.

Protein

Honey is slightly higher in proteins than molasses that is void of it.

Weight Loss and Diets

Low CarbMolasses is lower in carbohydrates and, therefore, more suitable than honey.
Vegan/ VegetarianMolasses is preferred over honey in the vegan diet as honey-making often involves bee exploitation and practices that may harm bees.
Low CalorieMolasses is favored over honey in a low-calorie diet.
Low GIHoney has a lower GI.

Health Impact

Cardiovascular Health

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan Article author photo Astghik Grigoryan

Flavonoids are antioxidants found in honey that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (7). Flavonoids in honey have a beneficial role in protection against cardiovascular disease through mechanisms such as vasorelaxation, preventing LDL (low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) oxidation, and decreasing the clotting ability of platelets (7).

On the other hand, molasses may also have a cardioprotective effect but through another mechanism: raising HDL (high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol) levels (8). There is no direct evidence of this effect on humans, as this effect was only tested on rats and needs further research. However, this may serve as a potential indicator that molasses can raise good cholesterol levels in the blood (8).

Diabetes

A study showed that the consumption of sugarcane molasses concentrate along with breakfast leads to a decrease in after-meal insulin and glucose. The results show that this supplementation with filtered sugarcane molasses concentrate may decrease the pressure on pancreatic cells (9).

Meanwhile, honey has been shown to have a hypoglycemic effect. This effect is most probably due to the presence of fructose in honey, which enhances glucose uptake (10).

Anemia

Section reviewed by gastroenterologist Arpi Gasparyan Article author photo Arpi Gasparyan

A study showed that in healthy individuals, honey increased serum iron and blood indices (11).

Another study concluded the preventive and curative effects of dark honey in rats having nutritional anemia (12). Light honey was less effective in terms of treatment and prevention of anemia (12).

In anemia caused by lack of dietary iron, molasses is a source of iron, as well as elements that enable iron absorption, such as copper (13). Although more research is needed, molasses may serve as a supplement for iron deficiency anemia (13).

Wound Healing

Research has shown that honey has wound-healing effects (14, 15). A study showed that the bacteria-inhibiting effect of raw honey is higher than that of the antibiotic Cefotaxime and molasses against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (16). These bacteria cause wound contamination that ultimately results in the inflammation of the wound.

Cancer

The exact mechanism behind the anti-cancer activity of honey is not yet known, but it may be due to its anti-tumor, antioxidant, and anti-mutagenic effects (17).

Honey induces programmed cell death in human breast and cervical cancer cell lines (18). Honey was also effective in inhibiting the growth of several cancer cell lines and tissues (19).

Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that may damage cells and lead to cancer cell growth. Blackstrap molasses has the highest antioxidant capacity compared to honey and cane sugar (20). Sugar cane molasses had a higher antioxidant capacity than vitamin E (21). This may indicate that it has a stronger anti-cancer activity; however, more research is needed to confirm this.

Downsides and Risks

Allergy

Allergies to honey may be due to the food item itself or the pollen and bee venom that it may contain (22).

Diabetes

Moderation is key when it comes to sources of sugar. Honey and molasses are rich in sugar and carbohydrates. Therefore, they should be used with caution in diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals.

Article author photo Christelle  Tchakerian
Education: Institute for Integrative Nutrition New York
Last updated: April 06, 2021
Medically reviewed by Arpi Gasparyan

Infographic

Honey vs Molasses infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Honey
2
:
Contains more Protein +∞%
Contains more Carbs +10.3%
Contains more Fats +∞%
Contains more Water +27.9%
Contains more Other +1550%
Equal in Carbs - 74.73
82% 17%
Protein: 0.3 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 82.4 g
Water: 17.1 g
Other: 0.2 g
75% 22% 3%
Protein: 0 g
Fats: 0.1 g
Carbs: 74.73 g
Water: 21.87 g
Other: 3.3 g
Contains more Protein +∞%
Contains more Carbs +10.3%
Contains more Fats +∞%
Contains more Water +27.9%
Contains more Other +1550%
Equal in Carbs - 74.73

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Honey
4
:
Contains more Glucose +199.9%
Contains more Fructose +220.1%
Contains more Maltose +∞%
Contains more Galactose +∞%
Contains more Sucrose +3203.4%
44% 50% 2% 4%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 0.89 g
Glucose: 35.75 g
Fructose: 40.94 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 1.44 g
Galactose: 3.1 g
54% 22% 24%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 29.4 g
Glucose: 11.92 g
Fructose: 12.79 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more Glucose +199.9%
Contains more Fructose +220.1%
Contains more Maltose +∞%
Contains more Galactose +∞%
Contains more Sucrose +3203.4%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Honey Molasses
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Honey Molasses Opinion
Net carbs 82.2g 74.73g Honey
Protein 0.3g 0g Honey
Fats 0g 0.1g Molasses
Carbs 82.4g 74.73g Honey
Calories 304kcal 290kcal Honey
Fructose 40.94g 12.79g Honey
Sugar 82.12g 74.72g Molasses
Fiber 0.2g 0g Honey
Calcium 6mg 205mg Molasses
Iron 0.42mg 4.72mg Molasses
Magnesium 2mg 242mg Molasses
Phosphorus 4mg 31mg Molasses
Potassium 52mg 1464mg Molasses
Sodium 4mg 37mg Honey
Zinc 0.22mg 0.29mg Molasses
Copper 0.036mg 0.487mg Molasses
Manganese 0.08mg 1.53mg Molasses
Selenium 0.8µg 17.8µg Molasses
Vitamin C 0.5mg 0mg Honey
Vitamin B1 0mg 0.041mg Molasses
Vitamin B2 0.038mg 0.002mg Honey
Vitamin B3 0.121mg 0.93mg Molasses
Vitamin B5 0.068mg 0.804mg Molasses
Vitamin B6 0.024mg 0.67mg Molasses
Folate 2µg 0µg Honey
Tryptophan 0.004mg Honey
Threonine 0.004mg Honey
Isoleucine 0.008mg Honey
Leucine 0.01mg Honey
Lysine 0.008mg Honey
Methionine 0.001mg Honey
Phenylalanine 0.011mg Honey
Valine 0.009mg Honey
Histidine 0.001mg Honey
Saturated Fat 0g 0.018g Honey
Monounsaturated Fat 0g 0.032g Molasses
Polyunsaturated fat 0g 0.05g Molasses

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Honey Molasses
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
2%
Honey
19%
Molasses
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
6%
Honey
103%
Molasses

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
Molasses
Molasses is lower in Sugar (difference - 7.4g)
Which food is cheaper?
Molasses
Molasses is cheaper (difference - $1)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Molasses
Molasses is relatively richer in minerals
Which food contains less Sodium?
Honey
Honey contains less Sodium (difference - 33mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Honey
Honey is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.018g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Honey
Honey is lower in glycemic index (difference - 61)
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Honey - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169640/nutrients
  2. Molasses - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168820/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.