Many people enjoy eating licorice for its sweet and unusual taste. But a new study from Linköping University in Sweden shows that even a small amount of licorice could raise your blood pressure. This challenges the common belief that a little licorice is harmless.
Licorice is made from the root of a plant called Glycyrrhiza. People have used it for hundreds of years in traditional medicine and as a flavor in candy and drinks. The sweet taste comes from a natural chemical called glycyrrhizic acid.
However, this chemical can affect how your body keeps fluids in balance. When your body holds on to too much fluid, your blood pressure can go up. High blood pressure is a serious issue because it increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Health experts in the European Union and the World Health Organization have said that taking up to 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizic acid per day is usually safe. But some research has found that about 5% of people in Sweden eat more than this amount on a regular basis.
This raises questions about whether the current safety guidelines are really enough to protect everyone.
To find out more, scientists carried out a study with 28 healthy adults between 18 and 30 years old. They split the group into two. One group ate licorice that had 100 milligrams of glycyrrhizic acid.
The other group ate a different product with a salty taste from something called salmiak, but it did not contain any real licorice. After two weeks, the groups switched so everyone tried both products.
During the study, each person measured their blood pressure every day at home. The researchers also looked at their hormone levels, salt balance in the body, and whether there were signs of stress on the heart.
The results were clear. Even at the level considered “safe,” licorice caused an average increase in blood pressure of 3.1 mmHg. The study also found that two important hormones—renin and aldosterone—were lower in the licorice group. These hormones help the body control how much fluid it keeps or gets rid of.
Some people reacted more strongly than others. Those who were more sensitive had signs of fluid buildup, small weight gains, and higher levels of a marker called NT-proBNP. This marker tells doctors when the heart is under extra strain.
These results suggest that even small amounts of licorice could be risky for some people, especially those who already have high blood pressure or heart problems. A small rise in blood pressure might not matter for everyone, but for people with existing health issues, it could make things worse.
Another problem is that many licorice candies and teas don’t show how much glycyrrhizic acid they contain. This makes it hard for people to know if they are going over the recommended amount.
This study is part of a larger effort to understand how the foods we eat affect our heart. Other foods, like those rich in potassium or certain vitamins, can help lower blood pressure. Scientists continue to study how everyday foods play a role in keeping us healthy.
For now, people who are worried about their blood pressure should be careful with licorice. Whether it’s in sweets, drinks, or supplements, even a moderate amount might be enough to raise blood pressure in some people.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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