Black licorice is a sweet treat that many people enjoy, especially during holidays. It tastes strong and unique, and for some, it brings back childhood memories.
But according to a recent warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), eating too much black licorice can be dangerous—especially for people over the age of 40.
The main ingredient in black licorice comes from the root of a small plant that grows in places like Greece, Turkey, and parts of Asia.
For hundreds of years, people in both Eastern and Western countries have used licorice root as a natural medicine. It has been used to help with problems like heartburn, stomach pain, sore throats, coughs, and even some viruses.
Even though licorice root has some health benefits, eating large amounts of black licorice candy is not safe for everyone. The FDA looked into how black licorice affects health, and what they found was concerning. They discovered that too much black licorice can cause high blood pressure and problems with the heartbeat, called arrhythmias.
These health issues are more likely to happen in people over 40 and in people who already have heart conditions. The problem comes from a chemical in black licorice called glycyrrhizin. This chemical gives licorice its sweet taste, but it can also lower the amount of potassium in your body.
Potassium is very important because it helps your heart beat normally. If your potassium level drops too low, it can cause serious problems like tiredness, swelling, high blood pressure, and in very bad cases, even heart failure.
The FDA says that eating just two ounces of black licorice every day for two weeks could be enough to cause heart problems. The good news is that when people stop eating the candy, their potassium levels usually go back to normal. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe to ignore the risks.
Black licorice can also affect how your medicine works. It might not mix well with some herbs, pills, or health supplements. So if you take medicine for your heart or for any other condition, you need to be extra careful.
Because of these risks, the FDA recommends that healthy people should avoid eating large amounts of black licorice at once. And if you notice symptoms like a strange heartbeat or weak muscles after eating it, stop right away and call your doctor.
Black licorice might taste good and bring back good memories, but it’s important to be careful. Eating a little now and then is fine for most people, but eating too much can be harmful—especially as we get older. It’s always a good idea to learn how the foods we eat can affect our health.
So if you enjoy black licorice, just remember to eat it in small amounts. That way, you can enjoy the taste without putting your health at risk.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about breakfast for better blood pressure management, and the gut feeling that lowers blood pressure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how the dash diet helps lower blood pressure, and how to eat your way to healthy blood pressure.
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