The scary consequences of too much black licorice
Updated: 2:56 PM CDT Oct 31, 2017
Tuesday is Halloween, and, right on schedule, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing its annual warning to not eat too much black licorice.According to the FDA, for those 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.FDA experts said 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, swelling, lethargy, and congestive heart failure.The FDA regularly sends out a release about the potential dangers of black licorice just before Halloween, the biggest candy-collecting day of the year. But there is some basis for the agency’s concerns. Just last year, the FDA received a report of a black licorice fan 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.FDA experts said potassium levels are usually restored with no permanent health problems when consumption of black licorice stops.If you have a fondness for black licorice, FDA is offering these tips: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.If you’ve experienced any problems after eating licorice, contact the FDA consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Tuesday is Halloween, and, right on schedule, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing its annual warning to not eat too much black licorice.
According to the FDA, for those 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.
FDA experts said 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, swelling, lethargy, and congestive heart failure.
The FDA regularly sends out a release about the potential dangers of black licorice just before Halloween, the biggest candy-collecting day of the year. But there is some basis for the agency’s concerns. Just last year, the FDA received a report of a black licorice fan 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.
FDA experts said potassium levels are usually restored with no permanent health problems when consumption of black licorice stops.
If you have a fondness for black licorice, FDA is offering these tips:
- 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.
- If you’ve experienced any problems after eating licorice, contact the FDA in your area.
