Black licorice is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of candy — but what if your love for it turns deadly?
Here are some eye-opening facts about black licorice that may make you think twice before reaching for the next bag.
Can you die from it?
It sounds like an urban legend, but there are documented cases.
In one incident, a 54-year-old man died after eating 1–2 large bags of black licorice daily for several weeks.
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He collapsed in a fast-food restaurant and later died of multiple organ failure linked to an irregular heartbeat caused by excessive licorice intake.
The hidden danger
Eating too much black licorice can cause a condition called pseudohyperaldosteronism — a serious medical issue that leads to high blood pressure, low potassium, and electrolyte imbalance. If left untreated, it can be fatal.
The sweetness comes from a risky chemical
Black licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, the compound that gives it its strong taste.
It’s 50 times sweeter than sugar but can also be toxic in large amounts, disrupting your body’s hormonal balance.
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Your body turns it into something even more dangerous
Once ingested, glycyrrhizic acid is converted into glycyrrhetinic acid.
In high doses, this byproduct blocks an important enzyme that controls the effects of cortisol, a stress hormone.
This disruption is a key trigger for pseudohyperaldosteronism.
The safe dose is smaller than you think
The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 100 mg of glycyrrhizic acid per day.
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That’s roughly 2–2.5 ounces (60–70 grams) of licorice. And that’s assuming the product contains a “normal” concentration — which varies wildly.
Not all licorice products are created equal
The amount of glycyrrhizic acid can vary up to 30-fold between different black licorice products.
So even if you think you’re staying within limits, you might be overdosing without realizing it.
It builds up in your body
Licorice has a long half-life, meaning it sticks around in your body for a long time.
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If you eat it regularly, the compounds can accumulate, increasing your risk of health issues over time.
Red licorice doesn’t pose the same threat
Despite its name, red licorice typically doesn’t contain any licorice root or glycyrrhizic acid.
So, if you’re craving the taste but not the health scare, the red stuff might be a safer bet.
People with heart or kidney conditions should be extra careful
If you have existing health issues — especially involving your heart or kidneys — even moderate licorice intake can be dangerous.
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The active compounds take longer to clear from your system, increasing the risk of serious complications.
The symptoms can sneak up on you
High blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, and even muscle cramps could be signs of licorice toxicity.
These symptoms are often mistaken for other issues — until it’s too late.
The article is based on information from Healthline.com.