Cortisol is a hot topic known in the media as the “stress hormone,” and it is touted as causing stress-induced weight gain and other harmful side effects. Although physical or emotional stress can increase cortisol production, this hormone is essential for regulating your energy levels and metabolizing stored fat cells. Cortisol levels are affected by the type of foods you consume, and evidence suggests glycyrrhizin licorice does not directly increase cortisol production but rather alters how this hormone is regulated.
Active Compounds
Glycyrrhizin is considered to be among the most potent compounds responsible for licorice's biological activity. However, glycyrrhizin is known to have a high side effect risk, thus deglycyrrhiziniated licorice, or DGL, is often consumed as it is considered much safer than its counterpart. DGL has not been shown to alter cortisol levels or cause any other adverse side effects.
Cortisol Levels
A study published in the October 1991 issue of “The New England Journal of Medicine” found licorice does not directly increase the production of cortisol, but rather inhibits the conversion of cortisol to cortisone. By hindering this conversion process, plasma cortisol levels in your pituitary-adrenal glands remain normal, but cortisol levels in your body are raised due to the lack of metabolizing, or conversion.
Effects of Inhibited Cortisol to Cortisone Conversion
The “Endocrinology Metabolism Clinics of North America” reports licorice causes a deficiency in 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which is the enzyme responsible for the cortisol-to-cortisone conversion process. When this enzyme is reduced a condition known as hypermineralocorticoidism occurs, which can lead to high blood pressure, or licorice-induced hypertension. “The New England Journal of Medicine” also states the inability to convert cortisol can cause a drop in potassium levels in your blood, which is known as hypokalemia.
Licorice Withdrawal
Although the consumption of glycyrrhizin licorice causes a deficiency in the enzyme required to convert cortisol to cortisone, discontinuing the use of licorice can return the activity of 11 beta-hydroxyteroid dehydrogenase to normal levels within two weeks. However, the activity of the renin-aldosterone system, which is responsible for regulating blood pressure and fluid balance, can remain low for several months.
References
- TestCountry.org: What Cortisol Does in the Body & Why It Is So Important;
- University of New Mexico; Cortisol Connection: Tips on Managing Stress and Weight; C.A. Maglione-Garves, et al.
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Licorice; August 2011
- “The New England Journal of Medicine”; Licorice-Induced Hypermineralocorticoidism; Robert V. Farese, et al.; October 1991
- “Endocrinology Metabolism Clinics of North America” Journal; Licorice-Induced Hypertension and Syndromes of Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess; B.R. Walker, C.R. Edwards; June 1994
