FDA experts say black licorice can cause potassium levels to fall.......

[1776Forever]

Black Licorice: Trick or Treat?

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm277152.htm

...FDA experts say black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.

FDA’s Linda Katz, M.D., says last year the agency received a report of a black licorice aficionado who had a problem after eating the candy. And several medical journals have linked black licorice to health problems in people over 40, some of whom had a history of heart disease and/or high blood pressure.

Katz says potassium levels are usually restored with no permanent health problems when consumption of black licorice stops...

Licorice is also used as a flavoring in food. Many “licorice” or “licorice flavor” products manufactured in the United States do not contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which has the same smell and taste. Licorice root that is sold as a dietary supplement can be found with the glycyrrhizin removed, resulting in a product known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice5, or DGL, NIH says.

If you have a fondness for black licorice, FDA is offering this advice:

No matter what your age, don’t eat large amounts of black licorice at one time.

If you have been eating a lot of black licorice and have an irregular heart rhythm or muscle weakness, stop eating it immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

Black licorice can interact with some medications, herbs and dietary supplements. Consult a health care professional if you have questions about possible interactions with a drug or supplement you take.

.......

More info at link - Good to know!

[Scuba]

1. Mmmmmm. Love black licorice!

[kestrel91316]

2. I wonder if fennel has the same compound in it........it has that taste....

Off to google I go......

ETA: nope. So it's safe. It's medicinal ingredient is phytoestrogen-ish, BTW.

[MADem]

3. The "real" stuff can raise your BP. It was popular eons ago as a medicine, actually.

A lot of licorice on the market nowadays, though, has hardly any 'licorice' in it at all, and is mostly high fructose crap with a little flavoring in it.

Always a good idea to check the ingredients.

[lumpy]

5. My father was a licorice addict. Ate it by the pound. He had

high blood pressure inspite of plenty of excersize, healthy diet. He did live into his 90s but I am sure the licorice contributed to his high blood pressure.

[MADem]

6. He might have been one of those unusual people who NEED a higher than normal BP.

What's average or 'right' for most isn't right for everyone. Maybe he needed the higher BP to prevent blood from pooling in his legs, or to obviate "brain fog."

I hope he enjoyed every one of his days (and the licorice, as well).

[Ilsa]

4. Interesting. Licorice has also been available as an herbal remedy in

Deglycyrrhizinated form for a variety of ailments like ulcers, etc.

http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/Licorice.html

[BuddhaGirl]

8. DGL is the bomb!!

Tastes nasty but gets rid of heartburn quickly. In that form, it doesn't affect blood pressure levels, either.

[trotsky]

7. Most putrid stuff ever invented.

Just the smell of black licorice or black jellybeans makes me gag.

[MineralMan]

9. Commercially sold black licorice also contains

a green food die as part of the coloring. If you eat a lot of it, your poop will be a lovely green color. My wife discovered that and almost went to the doctor, until I looked at the ingredients on the package and found Green Dye #something or another. Very cool, and quite alarming for my wife.

You may see this link for more information:

http://www.poopreport.com/Intellectual/Content/Dye/dye.html

:rofl:

[Odin2005]

10. Licorice is the nastiest candy ever invented. Yuck.

[eShirl]

12. I agree,but I found out the "yuck" is from the anise thay usually put in it

anise is also in Nyquil and Absinthe

[eShirl]

11. Yogi Teas often have some licorice, for the sweetness

I wanted to mention it because one might not expect their tea to contain licorice