Well, it's Halloween and anything is possible. Long time since I've had licorice but I like it.

How about the story below? Wonder if other foods cause similar issues?...

Well, anything to excess...


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Story:
MONDAY, Oct. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Black licorice candy may be more trick than treat for adults, according to a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning.

For people 40 and older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could trigger an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and other troubles, the agency warned in advance of Halloween.

Black licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms as well as high blood pressure, swelling, lethargy and congestive heart failure, the FDA said.

After one stops eating black licorice, potassium levels typically return to normal and there are no permanent health problems, according to the agency.

The FDA offered the following advice for people who enjoy black licorice.

No matter your age, don't eat large amounts 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 health care provider.

Black licorice can interact with some medications, herbs and dietary supplements. Talk to your health care professional about possible interactions.

The FDA also noted that licorice has a long history of use as a folk or traditional remedy for conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, bronchitis, sore throat, cough, and some infections caused by viruses like hepatitis. However, there's no proof that licorice is effective in treating any medical condition.

Licorice is also used as a flavoring in food, but many "licorice" or "licorice flavor" products made in the United States do not contain any licorice. Instead, they contain anise oil, which has the same smell and taste, the FDA said.

It also lowers testosterone.

But it is soooooo dang good.

Yep, and suger causes diabetes, too much water caused water intoxication, too much salt can raise your blood pressure, too much alcohol damages your liver. Too much of a lot of things can be detrimental.

Black Licorice is redundant. Red or other colored stuff ain't licorice.

That's racist! Black licorice matters!

The article is true overall but licorice can be processed to remove glycyrrhizin and then it is DGL. I have used the DGL form from time to time.

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Licorice

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) is a plant native to southern Europe and some regions of Asia, and is part of the Leguminosae plant family. It is not related to anise or fennel, despite its similar flavor. Licorice extract comes from the plants’ roots and underground stems.

The name glycyrrhizin is derived from Greek and means sweet root, highly appropriate since the compound glycyrrhizin, which gives licorice its sweetness, is 50 times sweeter than sugar. It’s not surprising then that it became popular for use in candies, cookies, and teas. In addition to sweet root, licorice has been called licorice root, liquorice, reglisse, regolizia, suessholz, sweet licorice, and sweet wood.

Licorice has been used for thousands of years medicinally and in cooking. In ancient Egypt, soldiers carried licorice on the battlefields to quench thirst and stores of it were found in King Tut’s tomb, presumably to help him on his journey to the afterlife. Licorice is a widely used herb in Chinese medicine.

While some studies have not shown an effect of Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) on peptic ulcers, one study of 100 patients taking DGL for stomach ulcers for 6 weeks resulted in 22 people having full resolution, while 90% of participants improved.

In its full, non-DGL form, licorice has been shown in a study to increase the stress hormone cortisol in those taking 500mg per day of glycyrrhetinic acid. This was a small study, but lends some support to licorice’s long history of use as an adaptogen.

Used for:

The deglycyrrhizinated form of licorice (DGL) is used to relieve discomfort from chronic indigestion, heartburn, stomach ulcers, and canker sores. Whole licorice extract is beneficial for menstrual and menopausal disorders, as well as inflammatory disorders. Topical whole licorice is useful for herpes, eczema, and psoriasis.

Licorice is also used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and is a key ingredient in many over-the-counter cough syrups and lozenges.

Available In:

Licorice is available as dried roots, extracts, tinctures, tablets, extracts, and topical preparations. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is available in chewable tablets, wafers, capsules, tea, and powder.

Herb /drug interactions:

Licorice products that contain glycyrrhizin and whole licorice taken orally may increase the effects of corticosteroids, cause sodium and water retention and increase blood pressure, increase the effect of digitalis preparations, alter the effect of estrogens/progesterone, and decrease the effect of anti-hypertensive medications. Some animal studies have shown licorice decreases the metabolism rate of warfarin, a blood-thinning medication, and it is not advisable to take licorice when on similar medication, or while taking diuretics.

Other safety concerns:

Excess intake of licorice may have a negative effect on potassium levels in the body. A high salt diet may exacerbate adverse effects of licorice including water retention and hypertension.

Avoid whole or licorice root if you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or heart disease, are pregnant or are breastfeeding.

You should not take licorice root for longer than 6 weeks. There are no known side effects for DGL products.

When buying:

For DGL products, there should be no glycyrrhizin. For other products, look for formulations with 6-10% glycyrrhizin.

Dosage:

Follow dosage directions accompanying whole licorice products.

If using DGL extract, take two tablets chewed slowly before or between meals or one half teaspoon of the powder at the same times. DGL powder can be made into a paste (swish in mouth for three minutes and spit) to treat mouth ulcers.

Child Dosage:

Children can be given half the adult dosage for both whole and DGL forms.

Dr. Weil says:

The DGL form of licorice has been very effective for many of my patients who suffer from chronic indigestion and reflux. A young patient of mine avoided medication by taking licorice in addition to making some other lifestyle changes. He was 36 years old and was about to embark on a course of prescription medication that he may have had to rely on for many years. It never occurred to him that an herbal remedy could offer such relief. Of course he had to give up coffee, too.

Reviewed by Jeff Gladd, M.D., September 24th, 2014.

Sources:

8 Weeks to Optimum Health: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power, by Andrew Weil, MD

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/licorice

University of Maryland Medical Center –http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/licorice-000262.htm

https://www.drweil.com/vitamin...erbs/herbs/licorice/

That's racist.

quote:

However, there's no proof that licorice is effective in treating any medical condition.

But it apparently is GTG for hyperkalemia.

I try not to eat anything bl....., never mind.

Black licorice puts hair on the chest.

Dated a girl once who loved the stuff.

That reminds me: Got a whole, untapped bag of Scotty Dogs downstairs in the junk food cache

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Black licorice puts hair on the chest.

Dated a girl once who loved the stuff.

How much hair did she build up before you dumped her?

I was in Finland recently and brought back “salty licorice “. I found out that the saltiness comes from ammonium chloride. It can be toxic if you have too much. Apparently it’s not allowed in food in the USA.

Not sure how you guys eat black licorice. That stuff is horrible.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan81986:
Not sure how you guys eat black licorice. That stuff is horrible.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS

I don't think the issue is as bad as they make it out to be as I would guess that most of our "licorice" is now artificially flavored anyway nowadays.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Black licorice puts hair on the chest.

Dated a girl once who loved the stuff.

I say without pictures it didn’t happen.....just saying

It's dangerous because the kids throw it back at you....nasty stuff

quote:

For people 40 and older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could trigger an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) and other troubles ...

There's a problem I'll never have. Black licorice is one of the foulest substances on the planet.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
Black licorice puts hair on the chest.

Dated a girl once who loved the stuff.

Dutch double-salted licorice. Will take the hair back off your chest.