Hypokalemia is low blood potassium concentrations. Since potassium is an essential nutrient, hypokalemia can cause several health difficulties. Among the various potential causes of hypokalemia is inordinate consumption of licorice root. This is an effect of a constituent of licorice root called glycyrrhizin, which grants licorice its distinct aroma and flavor.
Hypokalemia and Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin blocks 11-Beta HSD, which is an enzyme that breaks down cortisol. This makes glycyrrhizin anti-inflammatory, but the buildup in cortisol also causes water and salt retention. Increased sodium levels increases the body's need for potassium, which compounds for as long as there is an imbalance. It also causes hypertension, an effect that results from both the rise in blood sodium as well as the reduction in blood potassium.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is a metabolic disorder that usually does not exhibit symptoms. However, in some cases, particularly those resulting from a rapid fall in potassium levels, there can be potentially seriously effects. These include muscle degeneration, fatigue, constipation, abnormal heart rhythms, weakness and paralysis. Paralysis resulting from hypokalemia can cause respiratory failure, which can be fatal. Long-term hypokalemia can cause paralysis, cardiovascular complications, kidney damage and death. Most cases are treatable through oral supplements, but severe cases may require intravenous administration.
Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin is a triterpene glycoside, which causes it to taste sweet. In fact, glycyrrhizin is approximately 50 times sweeter than sucrose, according to Rosalind Franklin University. However, glycyrrhizin causes no rises in blood glucose. The compound appears in pharmaceuticals for its antibacterial and anti-viral properties and in foods as a noncaloric sweetener. Glycyrrhizin occurs exclusively in licorice root. In addition to hypokalemia, glycyrrhizin can also cause preterm labor.
Considerations
Although glycyrrhizin exists naturally in licorice root, it may not be in the candy flavored to taste like it. While black licorice could contain glycyrrhizin, Medline Plus reports that the compound does not appear in licorice produced in the United States. Moreover, black licorice often contains flavorings of other plants that taste like licorice but do not contain glycyrrhizin, like anise or fennel. Licorice candy in other colors contains neither licorice root nor its flavoring. Therefore, it never contains glycyrrhizin, either.
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