Tag: Glycyrrhizic acid

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting daily glycyrrhizin intake to under 100 mg to prevent side effects. This compound, found naturally in licorice root, has been used for centuries, but is glycyrrhizin safe to consume regularly or in large amounts?

Derived from the root of the licorice plant, *Glycyrrhiza glabra*, glycyrrhizin is a powerful compound that is approximately 50 times sweeter than table sugar. This natural sweetener has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and modern food flavoring, but its potent effects on the human body extend far beyond its taste.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming 2 ounces or more of black licorice per day for at least two weeks can lead to heart rhythm problems for people over 40, directly addressing the question: are Good and Plenty bad for you?. This risk is linked to the active compound in licorice extract, glycyrrhizic acid, which is found in Good & Plenty candy.

While many candies are flavored to taste like licorice, the FDA confirms that only those containing licorice root extract actually contain glycyrrhizin, the active compound. This sweetening agent has been linked to side effects, making it a critical ingredient for consumers to understand.

In 2020, a report in *The New England Journal of Medicine* detailed the death of a 54-year-old man who suffered cardiac arrest after regularly consuming large amounts of black licorice. The incident highlighted a lesser-known but significant health risk associated with a specific compound found naturally in the licorice root.

According to several food and health sources, red licorice is not made from the licorice plant and therefore does not contain the compound glycyrrhizin. This fact is a key distinction for anyone asking the question: does red licorice contain glycyrrhizin?

Licorice root contains a potent compound called glycyrrhizic acid, a triterpenoid saponin glycoside, which is responsible for much of its characteristic sweetness and pharmacological effects. This leads many to question: does licorice contain acid?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming just 2 ounces of black licorice daily for two weeks can lead to an irregular heart rhythm. The compound glycyrrhizin, found in licorice, is responsible for these adverse effects and can cause serious health issues when you have too much licorice.

Licorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which is up to 50 times sweeter than table sugar. Many products contain glycyrrhizin, from confectionery to herbal supplements, prized for its sweetness and potential medicinal properties.

According to a public statement from Darrell Lea North America, their products contain naturally derived glycyrrhizin in very low levels. This compound is found in licorice root extract, the key flavoring that gives black licorice its distinctive taste and potential health implications.