What happens if you eat black licorice every day? The surprising health risks

October 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming just 2 ounces of real black licorice daily for two weeks can land a person over 40 in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm. While a small, occasional piece is harmless, understand the serious risks of consuming real black licorice every day.

Quick Summary

Chronic daily consumption of genuine black licorice can cause dangerous health issues, including high blood pressure and low potassium, due to the compound glycyrrhizin, which may lead to heart problems.

Key Points

Glycyrrhizin is the Dangerous Compound: Real black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for serious health risks when consumed excessively.
High Blood Pressure and Low Potassium: Daily black licorice intake can cause fluid retention, raising blood pressure, and deplete potassium, leading to dangerous hypokalemia.
Heart Problems are a Major Concern: The combination of high blood pressure and low potassium can lead to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), heart failure, and, in rare cases, cardiac arrest.
Certain Individuals are More Vulnerable: Those over 40, pregnant women, and people with heart or kidney disease are at a higher risk of adverse effects.
Medication Interactions are Common: Black licorice can interfere with several prescription drugs, including those for blood pressure and heart conditions.
Check Labels for Anise Oil: Many licorice-flavored candies use anise oil instead of licorice root, making them safe from the glycyrrhizin risk.
DGL Products are a Safer Alternative: Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products have the harmful compound removed and are a safer option.

The Core Culprit: Glycyrrhizin

The primary source of black licorice's flavor and its most serious health risk comes from a compound called glycyrrhizin, found in the licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). When consumed in high amounts, glycyrrhizin can disrupt the body's mineral balance by inhibiting an enzyme that inactivates cortisol. This leads to increased cortisol levels and a mineralocorticoid effect similar to aldosterone, a condition known as pseudohyperaldosteronism, which is the root cause of many adverse effects from excessive black licorice.

How Glycyrrhizin Disrupts Mineral Balance

The glycyrrhizin-induced increase in mineralocorticoid activity leads to sodium retention and potassium excretion. The kidneys retain sodium and water, causing fluid buildup, while potassium is excessively excreted, resulting in hypokalemia (low blood potassium).

Cardiovascular Consequences and High Blood Pressure

Increased sodium and water retention from glycyrrhizin directly contributes to hypertension (high blood pressure). This is particularly risky for individuals with existing high blood pressure or other heart conditions. Health organizations like the FDA have reported hospitalizations and serious cardiac events linked to excessive black licorice. In one instance, a man experienced cardiac arrest after consuming several bags of black licorice daily, leading to dangerously low potassium levels. Potassium levels and heart issues generally normalize after discontinuing licorice intake.

Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) and Muscle Weakness

Excessive black licorice can cause severe hypokalemia. Potassium is vital for muscle function, including the heart. Low potassium can cause fatigue, muscle cramping, numbness, difficulty breathing, and even flaccid paralysis in extreme cases.

Who is at Highest Risk?

While high consumption of real licorice is risky for anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable. Those over 40 are more susceptible to cardiovascular effects, with the FDA recommending no more than 2 ounces daily for two weeks. Individuals with pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease should avoid real licorice as glycyrrhizin can worsen these issues. Pregnant individuals should also avoid large quantities due to risks of preterm delivery and potential developmental problems. Licorice can also interact with medications for high blood pressure, diuretics, and heart drugs, increasing the risk of low potassium.

Real Black Licorice vs. Anise-Flavored Candy

Not all black licorice-flavored candies contain glycyrrhizin; many, especially in the U.S., use anise oil, which does not pose the same health risks. Always check the ingredients for licorice extract or Glycyrrhiza glabra to identify real licorice. A comparison is below:


Feature	Genuine Black Licorice	Anise-Flavored Black Candy
Source of Flavor	Extract from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)	Anise oil, which mimics the flavor
Contains Glycyrrhizin?	Yes, contains glycyrrhizin, the active compound	No, anise oil does not contain glycyrrhizin
Health Risks (Daily Consumption)	High blood pressure, low potassium, heart issues	Generally safe regarding glycyrrhizin-related risks
Safe Daily Amount (for healthy adults)	Very low; potentially harmful at 2 ounces/day for 2 weeks	Safe in moderation as part of a balanced diet

A Note on Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) products have had glycyrrhizin removed, offering a safer alternative for those who enjoy the flavor. Even DGL should be consumed in moderation, particularly if used as a supplement.

Managing and Avoiding Licorice-Related Risks

To safely enjoy black licorice or its alternatives:

Consume genuine black licorice in very small, infrequent amounts, if at all.
Check ingredient lists for "licorice extract" or Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Choose anise-flavored candy or DGL products as alternatives.
Consult a doctor if you are pregnant, have heart or kidney conditions, high blood pressure, or take medications like digoxin or diuretics, regarding your licorice intake.

Conclusion

Daily consumption of real black licorice, especially in large amounts, carries significant health risks due to glycyrrhizin, which can cause high blood pressure and low potassium. By understanding these risks, checking labels, and practicing moderation, you can enjoy the flavor safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main danger is the compound glycyrrhizin, which can cause high blood pressure and dangerously low potassium levels (hypokalemia) when consumed in large amounts over time.

The FDA recommends that adults over 40 avoid eating more than 2 ounces of real black licorice per day for more than two weeks. Amounts higher than this can pose serious health risks.

No. Many licorice-flavored products, particularly in the U.S., use anise oil for flavor instead of real licorice root. Anise oil does not contain glycyrrhizin and is safe from these specific health risks.

People who are pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney problems should avoid genuine black licorice entirely. The glycyrrhizin can significantly worsen these conditions.

Symptoms can include fatigue, muscle weakness or cramping, lethargy, edema (swelling), shortness of breath, and an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia).

Yes, excessive consumption can cause a rise in blood pressure even in individuals who previously had normal blood pressure. It is not just a risk for those with pre-existing hypertension.

Licorice root naturally contains glycyrrhizin, while DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) is a processed form of licorice where the glycyrrhizin has been removed, making it a safer option.