I do like this as a flavoring for cakes and cookies though:
Posted on 11/02/2017 1:44:41 PM PDT by Trillian
As it turns out, you really can overdose on candy—or, more precisely, black licorice.
Days before the biggest candy eating holiday of the year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages moderation if you enjoy snacking on the old fashioned favorite.
So, if you’re getting your stash ready for Halloween, here’s some advice from FDA:
If you’re 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.
FDA experts say black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, edema (swelling), lethargy, and congestive heart failure.
FDA’s Linda Katz, M.D., says last year the agency received a report of a black licorice aficionado who had a problem after eating the candy. And several medical journals have linked black licorice to health problems in people over 40, some of whom had a history of heart disease and/or high blood pressure.
Katz says potassium levels are usually restored with no permanent health problems when consumption of black licorice stops.
Licorice, or liquorice, is a low-growing shrub mostly grown for commercial use in Greece, Turkey, and Asia. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says the plant’s root has a long history of use as a folk or traditional remedy in both Eastern and Western medicine. It has been used as a treatment for heartburn, stomach ulcers, bronchitis, sore throat, cough and some infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis; however, NIH says there are insufficient data available to determine if licorice is effective in treating any medical condition.
(Excerpt) Read more at fda.gov ...
Oh sorry....2 ounces is not that much as you say. I doubt people eat it everyday.
It said 2 ounces a day for 2 weeks——do the math.
.
Red Vines and popcorn, baby!
Deglycerrhized Licorice tablets, however, could save your stomach, if you take aspirin, etc.
Most of the stuff you get in a Halloween candy haul is the cheap artificially flavored junk.
But "food is medicine" is a true statement. Most people don't eat enough of anything to do themselves harm but you have a liver and kidneys for a reason and that is to filter out all the toxins you ingest daily.
My 74 year old aunt was prescribed licorice root pills by her hippie doctor. 30 days later, her blood pressure
shot over 230. An ambulance took her to the ER where they suspected a stroke. Several days in ICU. Turns out it was the licorice.
Most licorice made here is flavored with anise oil and doesn’t have Glychirrizin..the problem is with European licorice.
There were some hilarious reviews on Amozon for them. Laxative effect is an understatement.
That’s what I thought.
I’ve heard horrid things happen when you eat too many of those sugar-free gummy bears-the laxative from Hell
Yep, it is good. Also have gotten it at WalMart and Walgreens, IIRC. YUM
I now carefully avoid all artificial sweeteners because my system take a look at them and yells "get them out of here!"
Try a 5 pound bag. Lots o’ fun.
Excuse me if I stand back a bit ;)
When I was a little kid, many years ago, people used to think that black licorice sticks were appropriate for Halloween. If I had a chance, I’d grab something else. If one of them was forced on me, I’d give it away or toss it in the bushes.
Evidently I had the right instincts.
Also like those “Good N Plenty” candies, some black licorice flavoring, but with the candy coating.
They were a big movie candy when I was a kid-—I haven’t had any in years.
.
I’m Finnish/Swedish on my dads side and I tried that stuff.
Horrible. To this day I think it is an inside joke.
I buy a box of them every once in a while. Good candy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.