Red Licorice Side Effects

Red licorice, the sweet tasting, chewy rope candy that you may enjoy at the movie theater, may not be so sweet after all. Any red licorice product, including candy, drinks, and extracts, may result in adverse effects. Red licorice may contain a compound called glycyrrhizin, a sugar-based compound naturally found in licorice root that is dozens of times sweeter than sugar. Most side effects of red licorice are mild, but some may lead to more severe conditions. However, some products listed as licorice may only contain trace amounts of licorice root, and therefore, small amounts of glycyrrhizin. Instead, some manufacturers use artificial flavoring. Check your food label to see if the licorice product you are eating contains licorice root or artificial sweeteners. If you eat red licorice on a regular basis, talk with your doctor about the potential risks associated with it.

Common Mild Side Effects

According to the book, "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs," the most common side effects of red licorice include headaches, high blood pressure, upset stomach, diarrhea, fatigue, joint inflammation, fluid retention and muscle weakness. This is due to the mild toxic effects of glycyrrhizin, which can interfere with a variety of normal bodily processes, making it more difficult for your body to remove fluids from tissues.

Mineral Balance

By causing your body to retain water, glycyrrhizin may have a negative effect on your electrolyte balance, or the balance between the amount of fluid in your body and the mineral concentration of that fluid. According to a 2004 article by BBC News, a woman who consumed 200 g of licorice daily developed dangerously low potassium levels, which caused muscle failure. After stopping licorice consumption and replenishing her diminished electrolyte stores, particularly potassium, her symptoms disappeared (See Reference 2).

Liver Toxicity

Glycyrrhizin in licorice may be toxic to your liver, according to Salisbury University in England (See Reference 3). In a 2001 issue of the "Journal of Human Hypertension," researchers found that licorice consumption increased blood pressure and fluid retention, which results in weight gain and liver stress (See Reference 4). If you suffer from a weak or diseased liver, you should talk with your doctor before consuming any product containing licorice.

Pregnancy

According to EurekaAlert.org, pregnant women who consume licorice while pregnant may increase their risk of having a child with cognitive impairment and behavioral problems. Researchers found that glycyrrhizin impairs the normal function of the placenta, allowing excessive amounts of stress hormones to cross the placental barrier and affect the fetus. The stress hormones, called glucocorticoids, can have adverse effects on brain development in unborn children.