I'm back after about a month off. Just thought all youblack licorice lovers might like to know how bad it can be for you! Mindyou, I did indulge rather heavily on the stuff.
For the past couple of months I have been eating black licorice as my treat eachweek. When my brother-in-law was gettingmarried there were lots of parties, etc., where there was always bowls of blacklicorice. I started to feel unwell,tired, bloated. My blood pressure (which is usually low - 100/58-60) wentup to 173/90 over a period of three weeks, my ankles, hands and face were puffyand I felt congested, especially at night and I gained 10lbs (which I havesince lost because it was mostly fluid). I also had migraine headachesfor several days. I went to the doctor; she checked me over and then asked whatI had changed in my diet. My dh told her I'd been eating lots of blacklicorice and she said that was it. Apparently glycyrrhizic acid in theblack licorice can cause these symptoms and can even lead to heart attack,stroke and kidney problems. My doctor told me that red licorice is okay;except the sugar is not good for your weight, etc. Black licorice shouldbe eaten in small quantities; 1-2 pieces every now and then. Doses as lowas 50 grams (2 oz) of licorice daily for two weeks can cause asignificant rise in blood pressure.
True black licorice does use licorice extract. Be aware that licoriceextract contains glycyrrhizic acid which in large doses over extended periodsmight cause problems with the sodium and water balance in the body so don'tover indulge especially if you have a tendency to high blood pressure or fluidretention. Black licorice candy is also made with using both licorice extractand anise for flavoring and the food additive Carbon Black for the black color.
I don’t want to put anyone off black licorice; just make youaware of how toxic it can be.
Karen
You must not lose faithin humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. "Gandhi"