Licorice powder is produced from the root of the licorice plant, which is an herbaceous perennial. The licorice flavor comes from the compound anethole and the sweetness mainly from glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhizic acid is the component of licorice that causes the majority of side effects associated with licorice consumption and/or taking licorice containing supplements. Licorice is also sold as deglycyrrhizinated licorice which does not have similar side effects. Licorice is used medicinally to treat peptic ulcers, acid reflux, canker sores, eczema, liver abnormalities, infections and respiratory problems. An article in the "The Netherlands Journal of Medicine" notes that on average 1 g of licorice contains approximately 2 mg of glycyrrhizic acid, although the concentration varies between 0.026 and 98 mg.
High Blood Pressure
Licorice is well known to increase blood pressure. Glycyrrhizic acid acts on the kidney and increases water and sodium retention and potassium secretion and consequently blood pressure. A study in the "Journal of Human Hypertension" reports that doses as low as 50 g of licorice per day containing 75 mg of glycyrrhizic acid for two weeks significantly increased blood pressure in healthy subjects. The effects of glycyrrhizic acid on potassium levels could potentially cause other cardiovascular effects, such as heart palpitations and irregular heart rhythms.
Swelling
Because glycyrrhizic acid increases water retention, licorice consumption can lead to swelling primarily in the legs.
Muscle Weakness
Potassium plays a role in muscle and nerve function. Low potassium levels caused by glycyrrhizic acid can lead to symptoms of muscle tingling and weakness and very rarely paralysis.
Hormonal Side Effects
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute reports that studies in animals suggest components of licorice have estrogenic activity. Licorice consumption may affect menstrual cycles and interfere with hormonal therapy in women. A study in "The New England Journal of Medicine" reports that testosterone levels were decreased in young men who were administered 7 g of licorice containing 0.5 g glycyrrhizic acid per day for seven days.
Preterm Birth
A study in the "American Journal of Epidemiology" reports that women that consumed high amounts of licorice during their pregnancy were at risk for delivering prior to 38 weeks gestation.
References
- "The Netherlands Journal of Medicine;" Licorice and Hypertension; S.H. van Uum; April 2005
- "Journal of Human Hypertension;" Liquorice-Induced Rise in Blood Pressure:A Linear Dose-Response Relationship; H.A. Sigurjo´nsdo´ ttir et al.; 2001
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute: Licorice
- "The New England Journal of Medicine;" Reduction of Serum Testosterone in Men by Licorice
- "American Journal of Epidemiology;" Birth Outcome in Relation to Licorice Consumption During Pregnancy; Timo E. Strandberg et al.; June 2000
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