We knew that black licorice (and all candies that contain it) were not recommended for pregnant women because of the effects it can cause in utero on the cognitive development of babies. But for Professor Philippe Gosse, cardiologist at Bordeaux University Hospital, it is not only future mothers who should be concerned about the harmful effects of licorice.
People with high blood pressure should also refrain from consuming them because licorice candies contain glycyrrhizic acid, a compound that can lower potassium levels. However, a certain intake of potassium is necessary to lower blood pressure.
Licorice lowers potassium
“Licorice contains glycyrrhizin, the transformation of which in the body results in an action that mimics the action of aldosterone (the hormone which increases the reabsorption of sodium and the elimination of potassium)” explained the cardiologist in October at Top health.
“In small quantities from time to time, that’s fine. But large and/or regular consumption should be avoided.”
For its part, the American FDA simply does not recommend licorice candies to anyone over the age of 40 because it has collected testimonies from several consumers of this type of candies who have developed cardiac arrhythmia or high blood pressure.
One in three adults have high blood pressure
It is estimated that 30% of adults have high blood pressure. “Among them, only half are diagnosed and treated, and among those who are treated, only half have controlled blood pressure,” laments Professor Philippe Gosse.
This disease is in fact insufficiently detected and there is poor compliance with treatments, because thehypertension remains “silent” for a long time, until complications arise. It damages the walls of the arteries and tires the heart, making it the primary cause of cardiovascular disease.
Source: www.topsante.com
