Buzz
Although the FDA's warning on licorice dates back a few years, the memes surrounding it are still going strong. One headline screamed, “FDA issues warning about black licorice for Halloween.” Under that, a screenshot was captured for posterity, with someone humorously suggesting that the warning must have been, “It tastes like shit.”
The actual warning was about how candy containing licorice root can affect your blood pressure. Although the advisory is no longer available on the FDA’s website (having been published in 2017), the archived version still says:
If you’re 40 or older, consuming 2 ounces of black licorice daily for at least two weeks could send you to the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.
According to FDA experts, black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. This substance can lower potassium levels in the body, leading some individuals to experience irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, swelling, fatigue, and even congestive heart failure.
FDA’s Linda Katz, M.D., mentioned that last year the agency received a report about a black licorice lover who faced health issues after consuming the candy. Additionally, several medical journals have linked black licorice consumption to health complications in individuals over 40, particularly those with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.
Katz explains that potassium levels typically return to normal with no lasting health effects once black licorice consumption stops.
Yes, many people find black licorice unpleasant. But there’s a cosmic balance—some oddballs actually love it, and there’s always someone around, like a grandpa or uncle, eager to devour the black jelly beans you leave behind.
I’ll admit, I’m one of those oddballs. I used to despise black licorice until one day, I didn’t. Now, if I buy an eight-ounce bag of Trader Joe’s soft black licorice, I have to hold back—enjoying just a few pieces a day, the way some people savor chocolate. Invite me to your Halloween parties. I’ll gladly take your licorice, and you can have my Hershey bars.
How much licorice is too much to consume?
Licorice lovers, don’t panic—first, make sure you're actually eating real licorice. If your candy is flavored with anise oil, you’re good to go. But if it contains actual licorice root (did you know? licorice is a plant), keep reading.
According to the UK’s National Health Service, consuming more than 57g (2 ounces) of black licorice daily for at least two weeks could result in serious health issues. (Another fun tidbit: they spell it with a Q over there.) The American Heart Association agrees, and even shares the story of a man who passed away after switching from red to black licorice.
Don’t freak out: this individual ate an excessive amount of licorice daily and had other health conditions that made him more vulnerable to heart problems. No one’s saying an occasional licorice treat is lethal. However, in large quantities, the herb can interact with your body’s chemistry in ways that could be harmful. Licorice is also known to interact with or affect several medications.
So, if you’re the black licorice fan in your family, maybe think about pacing yourself, and don’t eat piles of it every day for weeks on end, even though it’s so tempting.
