Black liquorice is a type of confectionary candy that contains extracts from the flora, Glycyrrhiza glabra root specifically Glycyrrhizic acid.
Candies containing Glycyrrhizic acid.
Glycyrrhetic acid and its structural analogues include digitalis, cortisol and aldosterone.
Glycyrrhizic acid is metabolized into its bioactive metabolite glycyrrhetic acid (medically available as enoxolone as it inhibits cortisol conversion into cortisone, thus causing a buildup of activated cortisol to high enough levels that it mimics aldosterone in the kidneys; accordingly the pathways that aldosterone initiates occur, mainly causing the kidneys to reabsorb water and loose potassium).
This can result in a chronic toxicity called Licorice induced pseudohyperaldosteronism.
Individuals who are prone to licorice toxicity include those with preexisting myocardial damage, low ejection fraction, hypertension, hypokalemia, arrhythmia and/or heart failure. But no one is immune from licorice toxicity and as little as a “bag and a half per day for a couple weeks” can result in fatal cardiac arrhythmia (the case in citation 1).
The danger of licorice hypertension is high enough that some professionals advocate for black licorice becoming a behind the counter medicated product.
If you currently eat black licorice it is advised to temporarily stop and consult your physician before resuming.
0 Comments
Thanks for comment.