While hypokalemia is the probably the most life-threatening effect of eating too much black licorice, you also need to worry about developing high blood pressure.
Well, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), eating too much of black licorice actually can be a big deal—for your heart, at least.
According to a new consumer update the organization just released, black licorice contains a flavoring compound called glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for that sweet taste. The problem is, glycyrrhizin messes with certain enzymes in your body involved in the breakdown of the stress hormone cortisol. This can cause an increase in the levels of cortisol in your body, according to research in Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism.
As a result, this can reduce potassium levels and elevate concentrations of sodium in your body. That’s a problem: When your potassium balance is thrown out of whack, it can hinder your cells’ ability to function—particularly for your heart muscles. One serious effect of low potassium, which is also known as hypokalemia, is a cardiac abnormality called arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat.
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Heart arrhythmias can feel like a fluttering in your chest, a racing heartbeat, or a slow heartbeat. You may also feel lightheaded or dizzy. In some cases, irregular heartbeat can put you at risk of stroke, as we reported in the past.
While hypokalemia is the probably the most life-threatening effect of eating too much black licorice, you also need to worry about developing high blood pressure, too, according to researchers from Spain.
So is eating a piece or two of the candy going to immediately throw your heart out of whack? Probably not. It seems like it’s the continual and excessive consumption of black licorice that’s most risky. (Plus, lots of foods just with a licorice flavor aren’t going to be a risk, since they tend to be flavored with anise oil instead of actual licorice compounds, the FDA says.)
In fact, when a case report in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension detailed a woman with low potassium levels and persistent high blood pressure despite taking meds, the docs discovered it was triggered by eating a lot of black licorice. For four years, the woman had been eating 200 to 250 grams of black licorice a day. That would equate to 7 or 8 servings of Darrell Lea Original Soft Eating Liquorice, for instance.
The FDA has listed glycyrrhizin as a safe food additive, as long as it’s not consumed in excess—soft candies can’t contain more than 3.1 percent of it. As for how much you could eat of the candy a day? The European Union recommends no more than 100 milligrams (mg) a day, or what you’d find in about 60 to 70 grams of licorice.
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Bottom line: Sure, enjoy a piece or two of black licorice—just don’t make it a daily habit. And if you notice any heart rhythm issues or muscle weakness while eating, stop eating the licorice and call your doctor, the FDA advises.
