Why is licorice bad for you

For most people, liquorice found in foods is safe to eat and safe when consumed in large amounts in medicines for short periods of time. No matter how old you are, you should avoid eating large amounts of black liquorice over a short space of time.

If you have been eating a lot of black liquorice and have heart palpitations, muscle weakness or other health-related problems, stop eating it immediately and seek medical advice. Get advice from a GP or pharmacist if you have questions about possible interactions with a medication or supplement you're taking. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

Though it happens rarely, black licorice can cause an irregular heartbeat in some people and an excess may cause serious harm. Black licorice contains a compound that comes from licorice root that can lower your potassium levels. Lower potassium levels can cause those abnormal heart arrhythmias. The U. Food and Drug Administration experts blame glycyrrhizin, the sweetening compound derived from the licorice root. This compound can cause potassium levels in the body to decrease and when this happens, some people can experience abnormal heart rhythms.

Those foods will not put you at risk for arrhythmias. Also known as sweet root, licorice root has some benefits, too. Celiac disease is a condition where gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains, causes an immune response in the small intestine, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Red licorice candy contains wheat in its ingredients, making this candy harmful to your overall health and wellbeing.

A wheat allergy, caused by sensitivity to wheat itself, could also make candy licorice problematic for you. This may lead to minor allergic symptoms, such as hives or a potentially life-threatening allergic response referred to as anaphylaxis, where your throat may swell and close, as described by Mayo Clinic. Nutrition Nutrition Basics Food and Health. Is Red Licorice Bad for You? By Frankie Smith Updated October 23, Janet Renee has over a decade of experience as a registered dietitian.

Renee attended the University of California, Berkeley and holds an M. Frankie Smith. Frankie Smith brings over 12 years of experience in health care to her positions as a mental health clinician, policy analyst and director in Aboriginal health. Her writing experience has primarily been in the area of strategic planning and policy development.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg.