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Dr Rupie

Your Rx for Essential Wellness

I like eating black licorice; I heard it can be bad for you?

Yes, black licorice can be bad for you. Eating more than 2 ounces (that’s 2 ropes or 50 jelly beans) per day for at least 2 weeks, per day can cause an irregular heartbeat or a rapid increase in blood pressure.

Black Licorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin can affect a hormone in your body called aldosterone, which can drop your body’s potassium levels by making you pee more potassium. Your heart needs a certain amount of potassium in your system to work properly. It can also increase your sodium which causes you to retain more water and will increase your BP. Once you stop eating black licorice, your potassium level usually quickly return to normal

Of note, some candy companies use licorice flavoring or anise and not actual black licorice from the licorice plant. Though some companies have gotten in trouble for testing positive for lead in some of their licorice candies.

While it’s fine to eat a small amount of licorice occasionally, it’s best to avoid large amounts over a short period of time. If you’ve been eating a lot of licorice and are feeling weak, breathless or having heart palpitations, stop eating it and seek medical advice immediately.

Licorice can also interact with medications, so best avoided while taking any.


While the information on the Site was prepared to provide accurate information regarding topics related to general and specific health issues, the information contained in the Site is made available with the express understanding that neither Dr. Rupie or the other experts on the Site, nor the Site itself, nor members of the Site are dispensing medical advice and do not intend any of this information to be used for self diagnosis or treatment. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

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Disclaimer: This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All rights reserved. Copyright Rupal Gohil MD 2020