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Can You Really Overdose on Black Licorice? Here's The Science on The Hidden Dangers
https://www.sciencealert.com ^ | 26 OCTOBER 2020 | BILL SULLIVAN

Posted on 10/27/2020 8:15:47 AM PDT by Red Badger

Black licorice may look and taste like an innocent treat, but this candy has a dark side. On Sept. 23, 2020, it was reported that black licorice was the culprit in the death of a 54-year-old man in Massachusetts.

How could this be? Overdosing on licorice sounds more like a twisted tale than a plausible fact.

I have a longstanding interest in how chemicals in our food and the environment affect our body and mind. When something seemingly harmless like licorice is implicated in a death, we are reminded of the famous proclamation by Swiss physician Paracelsus, the Father of Toxicology: "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison."

I am a professor in the department of pharmacology and toxicology and author of the book Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are. The root of the problem

The unfortunate man who recently succumbed to excessive black licorice consumption is not alone. There are a smattering of similar case reports in medical journals, in which patients experience hypertension crisis, muscle breakdown or even death.

Adverse reactions are most frequently seen in people over the age of 40 who are eating far more black licorice than the average person. In addition, they are usually consuming the product for prolonged periods of time.

In the most recent case, the Massachusetts man had been eating a bag and a half of black licorice every day for three weeks.

Licorice is a flowering plant native to parts of Europe and Asia. Its scientific name, Glycyrrhiza, is derived from the Greek words "glykos" (sweet) and "rhiza" (root). The aromatic and sweet extract from its root has long been used as an herbal remedy for a wide variety of health maladies, from heartburn and stomach issues to sore throats and cough.

However, there is insufficient evidence to support that licorice is effective in treating any medical condition.

Glycyrrhizin (also called glycyrrhizic acid) is the chemical in black licorice that gives the candy its signature flavor, but it also leads to its toxic effects.

Glycyrrhizin mimics the hormone aldosterone, which is made by the adrenal glands when the body needs to retain sodium and excrete potassium. Sodium and potassium work together as a kind of cellular battery that drives communication between nerves and the contraction of muscles. Too much glycyrrhizin upsets the balance of these electrolytes, which can raise blood pressure and disturb the heart's rhythm.

Other symptoms of excessive licorice intake include swelling, muscle pain, numbness and headache. Examination of the man who died from consuming too much licorice revealed that he had dangerously low levels of potassium, consistent with glycyrrhizin toxicity.

It should be noted that a number of licorice-based foods do not contain real licorice, but use a flavoring substitute called anise oil, which does not pose the dangers discussed here. In addition, despite its name, red licorice rarely contains licorice extract. Instead, red licorice is infused with chemicals that impart its cherry or strawberry flavor.

Products that contain real licorice are usually labeled as such, and list licorice extract or glycyrrhizic acid among the ingredients. Be advised that some products, such as black jelly beans or Good & Plenty, are mixtures of different candies that contain both anise oil and licorice extract.

Licorice is produced from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. (Franz Eugen Köhler/Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen/Wikimedia)

Licorice is produced from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. (Franz Eugen Köhler/Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen/Wikimedia)

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Hidden dangers that increase risk

Glycyrrhizin has the distinct licorice flavor and is 50 times sweeter than sugar and has been used in other types of candy, soft drinks, tea, Belgian beers, throat lozenges and tobacco.

This can make it challenging to keep track of how much glycyrrhizin has been consumed, and a combination of these products could trigger adverse effects.

Some people take dietary or health supplements that already contain licorice, which increases the risk of toxic effects from eating black licorice candy. Certain medications such as hydrochlorothiazide are diuretics that cause increased urination, which can lower potassium levels in the body.

Glycyrrhizin also lowers potassium levels, further disrupting the balance of electrolytes, which can produce muscle cramps and irregular heart rhythms.

People with certain preexisting conditions are more susceptible to black licorice overdose.

For example, patients who already have low potassium levels (hypokalemia), high blood pressure or heart arrhythmia are likely to have greater sensitivity to the effects of excessive licorice. Those with liver or kidney deficiencies will also retain glycyrrhizin in their bloodstream for longer times, increasing their risk of experiencing its adverse effects. What to do?

If you're a fan of black licorice, there is no need to ban it from your pantry. Eaten in small quantities from time to time, licorice poses no significant threat to otherwise healthy adults and children. But it is advisable to monitor your intake.

With Halloween approaching, be sure to remind your kids that candy is a 'sometimes food', especially the black licorice. The FDA has issued warnings about the rare but serious effects of too much black licorice, advising that people avoid eating more than two ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks or longer.

The agency states that if you have been eating a lot of black licorice and experience an irregular heart rhythm or muscle weakness, stop eating it immediately and contact your health care provider.

Some scientists have further cautioned against the routine use of licorice in the form of a dietary supplement or tea for its alleged health benefits.

A review article from 2012 warned that "the daily consumption of licorice is never justified because its benefits are minor compared to the adverse outcomes of chronic consumption."The Conversation

Bill Sullivan, Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology; author of Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are, Indiana University.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food; Health/Medicine; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: blacklicorice; food; health; licorice
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To: Red Badger
To me it was like chewing on a old inner tube..

Growing up as poor as my family was, old inner tubes were a substitute for the licorice we couldn't afford. We dipped the rubber strips in syrup......They were also a substitute for chewing gum...

21 posted on 10/27/2020 9:54:21 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco
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To: Red Badger

When I feel I’m getting over salted and still want bacon ham or jerky I will give it a water soak before cooking. Doesn’t work well with potato chips.

Just drink lots of water


22 posted on 10/27/2020 9:55:09 AM PDT by Cold Heart (Portland Voted for IT)
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To: Hot Tabasco

We were so poor, We had to use pine rosin for chewing gum................


23 posted on 10/27/2020 9:56:36 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

If licorice was to completely disappear from planet Earth tomorrow, I would not miss it.................


24 posted on 10/27/2020 9:57:44 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Cold Heart

Make your own potato chips with no salt!............


25 posted on 10/27/2020 9:58:50 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Red Badger

Black Licorice Matters


26 posted on 10/27/2020 10:04:22 AM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
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To: Red Badger
I have licorice in my prepping supplies.

Licorice Root Fights MERS And SARS Viral Infection

27 posted on 10/27/2020 10:50:55 AM PDT by blam
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To: Red Badger

I made 30 pounds of potato chips in deer camp one year.


28 posted on 10/27/2020 12:21:30 PM PDT by Cold Heart (Portland Voted for IT)
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To: Cold Heart

No deer huh?.................


29 posted on 10/27/2020 12:26:03 PM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Red Badger

Ah geez, I just ordered some black licorice from the grocery store for today’s delivery. Arriving soon.... Can’t resist eating black licorice. I am doomed!


30 posted on 10/27/2020 3:33:16 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (homeless guy. He just has more money....He the master will plant more cotton for the democrat party)
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To: Red Badger

I think it’s one of those things like broccoli or cilantro that people’s taste buds have a chemical like/dislike for.


31 posted on 10/27/2020 3:41:39 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there..)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

I have the opposite credo:

Everything to excess! Moderation is for MONKS!


32 posted on 10/27/2020 9:42:25 PM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighbourhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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