Is Black Licorice Bad for You?

Is eating black licorice dangerous? The answer is that black licorice can be bad for you, particularly if you eat a lot of it or have certain health conditions like heart or kidney disease. However, for most people, black licorice can be safely enjoyed in moderation.

You'll usually see black licorice around Halloween and in the candy section at your local theater in the form of Good & Plenty candy. Its flavor is one that some people find offputting, while others love it. In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that eating two ounces or more of black licorice daily for at least two weeks could prompt an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia in adults 40 and older.

Risks of Eating Black Licorice

It's important to note that the FDA didn't ban black licorice. Instead, the agency classifies the candy as "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS). It is included on the FDA's additives list as "licorice and derivatives (ammoniated glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhiza)." Black licorice continues to be used as a flavoring and sweetening agent in soft drinks, teas, and other consumer products. However, the FDA warned that black licorice could become toxic when eaten in excess.

Here's why: The main component in black licorice is glycyrrhizin, a sweet compound in licorice root. When consumed in high amounts, glycyrrhizin causes potassium levels to drop temporarily. This may cause abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, swelling, lethargy, and, in extreme cases, even heart failure. These issues typically go away once consumption stops.

Case in point: A 2021 study discusses one medical center that admitted six patients between 2018 and 2020 to the ICU with black licorice toxicity. All six patients were admitted with hypertension (high blood pressure), hypokalemia (low potassium), and heart arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).

The patients also reported muscle weakness and pain, heart palpitations, and even some paralysis. One of the patients had to be resuscitated due to a potentially fatal heart rhythm. Thankfully, all six patients recovered with the help of potassium replacement therapy in addition to a type of diuretic.

Benefits of Black Licorice

Black licorice has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese, herbal, and Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine. It contains potentially healthy components, including ones with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, hepatoprotective (protects the liver), and neuroprotective (prevents nerve cell death) properties. Study authors state that licorice also appears to have antidepressant actions and can be helpful for pain management.

Black licorice has also been shown to help with the symptoms that accompany metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excessive belly fat. Research has found that black licorice may lower high blood sugar and cholesterol. On the flip side, though, it tends to increase blood pressure, which is not good for those with high blood pressure.

In another 2021 review, researchers examined what black licorice is made of and its benefits. They found that it has antioxidant, antimicrobial (reduces bacteria and mold), anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative (slows or stops the spread of cells, including malignant cells, into surrounding tissues), and cytotoxic (prevents cell growth) effects. In other words, it has many potential health benefits.

Nutrition of Black Licorice

Black licorice contains a variety of nutrients, including the following:

• Amino acids
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Silicon
• Selenium
• Zinc
  

Guidelines for Consumption

Fans of black licorice should eat it in moderation. Check the label for the serving size and stick with those limits, typically two ounces or less per day. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience irregular heart rhythms or muscle weakness after eating black licorice.

Licorice may interact poorly with certain drugs, such as aspirin, oral contraceptives, and herbal supplements, so if you're taking any medications—or if you have hypertension, heart disease, or kidney disease—you may want to speak with a doctor before indulging.

Overindulging in black licorice during pregnancy has been shown to increase the chances of premature birth and problems in the baby, so it might be best to forgo it during pregnancy.

Also, some candies—including ones labeled as "black licorice"—don't contain licorice. They are made with anise oil, which smells and tastes like black licorice, and may be a smart alternative for those at higher risk of adverse reactions.

A Quick Review

Like many things, black licorice can probably be enjoyed in moderation. However, it can come with risks, especially if you have certain health conditions like heart or kidney disease. Talk to a healthcare provider if you don't feel well or experience irregular heart rhythms or muscle weakness after eating black licorice.