Black licorice may seem like a harmless candy, especially during the holidays, but new findings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that eating too much of it could be dangerous—especially for people over 40.
Licorice comes from the root of a small shrub that grows in places like Greece, Turkey, and parts of Asia. For hundreds of years, licorice root has been used in traditional medicine to help with health problems like heartburn, stomach ulcers, sore throats, coughs, and even some infections.
While it has a long history of medicinal use, the risks of eating black licorice in large amounts are less well known.
According to a recent FDA study, black licorice contains a chemical called glycyrrhizin. This chemical gives licorice its sweet flavor, but it can also cause potassium levels in the body to drop. Potassium is very important for keeping your heart working properly.
When potassium gets too low, it can lead to problems like irregular heartbeats (also called arrhythmias), high blood pressure, swelling, tiredness, and even heart failure in severe cases.
The study found that eating just two ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks can be enough to affect your heart health. These effects are more serious for people over 40 or those who already have heart problems.
The good news is that if you stop eating black licorice, potassium levels usually return to normal. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe to eat large amounts.
Black licorice can also interact with some medications, herbs, and dietary supplements, which can make the side effects even worse. If you’re taking medicine for your heart or other health conditions, it’s especially important to be careful.
The FDA advises people not to eat big amounts of black licorice at one time. If you notice symptoms like an irregular heartbeat or muscle weakness after eating black licorice, you should stop immediately and talk to your doctor.
Although black licorice might remind some people of childhood or special occasions, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation. Being aware of how certain foods can affect your body is a key part of staying healthy.
So if you love black licorice, feel free to enjoy it—but only in small amounts. Your heart will be better off for it.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
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