The word liquorice, or licorice, is derived via the Anglo-French lycorys, from Late Latin liquiritia, [10] itself ultimately derived from Greek γλυκύρριζα, glykyrrhiza (the Modern Greek spelling of the genus is γλυκόριζα, glykoriza) [11] literally meaning 'sweet root' and referring to Glycyrrhiza glabra. [12] There are many liquorice benefits, ranging from helping to soothe a sore throat to settling an upset stomach. Here are 8 health benefits liquorice has to offer. What does liquorice do in the body? Side-effects of low-potassium levels can include lethargy and abnormal heart rhythms. It’s thought liquorice’s side-effects are caused by the glycyrrhizic acid, but it is possible to buy deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL), which may help prevent these issues. 30 Liquorice supplements However, some liquorice-flavour sweets (mainly those in America) don’t actually contain any extract from the liquorice plant at all. 1 A popular alternative is anise oil, which smells and tastes just like liquorice. Summary There are currently no guidelines for safe intake levels of liquorice, but both the World Health Organisation and the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food recommend no more than 100mg a day of glycyrrhizic acid – a potentially toxic compound found in liquorice – a day for the average adult. 23,24

Its health benefits come from the compounds that the liquorice root contains. There are over 300 of these compounds including glycyrrhizin, lycoricidine and liquiritin. As we’ve just mentioned, regularly eating lots of liquorice with heart or blood pressure problems can cause some serious side effects, potentially even death. The ingredients in liquorice vary depending on the brand but it is likely to contain liquorice root extract, flour and sugar. Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver, and if left untreated, can cause inflammation as well as long-term liver damage. Pseudoaldosteronism may also cause water retention, which can lead to leg swelling and other problems. 7,8

Who should not eat liquorice?

Insulin or drugs for diabetes – how they work may be impacted due to liquorice changing blood sugar levels. We start in the North with arguably the most insanely tough nation in Europe, the Finns (seem an odd thing to say? Read this). The Finns like their liquorice salty, the Dutch do too, but the Finns have just the right balance of salt and sweet for a truly complex flavour. The Dutch also do a salt liquorice (they even have the mind bendingly salty double zout for those with a real death-wish) but the Finnish one is the real deal. The texture is also perfection, a bit chewy, a bit flaky and with the barest smattering of sugar on the outside. A strong start from the frozen North. Word has it that many centuries ago, it was reportedly drunk by Alexander the Great due to its supposed medicinal qualities. In a small 2016 Egyptian study, scientists gave either liquorice or a conventional medication gargle to people before an operation. After a procedure, when the breathing tube is removed, many patients can experience a post-operative sore throat. Researchers in Egypt gave liquorice to one set of patients to gargle with just before an operation.

Glycyrrhiza pallida Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. ser. 2, 2: 22 (1856)". The International Plant Names Index . Retrieved 2017-03-07. One Pound Sweets takes pride in offering the best prices for Liquorice Torpedoes 100g in the market. Our commitment to affordability ensures that customers can get their hands on Liquorice Torpedoes 100g without breaking the bank. With competitive pricing and regular discounts, One Pound Sweets provides exceptional value, making it a cost-effective choice for those seeking Liquorice Torpedoes 100g. Pseudoaldosteronism is a health condition that can lead to people becoming overly sensitive to a hormone within their adrenal cortex. Its rich, bitter and sweet flavour is quite similar to fennel and anise and can be found in Vietnamese dishes as well as in the sweet aisle. Summary If you are 40+ years old and have heart or blood pressure issues, then it’s best you avoid eating liquorice or eat it in moderation for the reasons listed immediately above.

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Liquorice flavour is found in a wide variety of candies or sweets. In most of these candies, the taste is reinforced by aniseed oil so the actual content of liquorice is low.

Liquorice extracts have been used in herbalism and traditional medicine. [7] Excessive consumption of liquorice (more than 2mg/kg[3.2 ×10 −5oz/lb] per day of pure glycyrrhizinic acid, a liquorice component) may result in adverse effects, with overconsumption suspected clinically in people presenting with otherwise unexplained hypertension, low blood potassium, and muscle weakness. [7] [8] [9] Consuming licorice should be avoided during pregnancy. [8] Etymology [ edit ] Another 3-week study on small children who were given sugar-free lollipops that contained 15mg of liquorice root twice a day during the school week.

8 health benefits of liquorice

According to a 2011 study in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, it was effective at helping people with indigestion.