Eating Too Much Black Licorice Can Kill You

There's one candy that poses a threat more dangerous than cavities this Halloween. According to the FDA, black licorice is on the list as candy to look out for, especially if you have some underlying health problems. The Food and Drug Administration has announced that black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a sweetening compound that comes from the licorice root. This compound, in excessive and large amounts, can cause your potassium levels to drop, leading to irregular or abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, edema, lethargy, and most terrifyingly, congestive heart failure.Show more

In fact, if you are 40 and older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks could land you in the hospital with irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. The black licorice candy can also interact with dietary supplements and prior heart problems.

Thankfully, this doesn't account for all candies, where most in the United States use anise flavoring to mimic the licorice flavor. Regardless, if you find yourself worried about eating too much black licorice, stick to red licorice (Hello Red Vines) or even a bag of Twizzlers. If anything, consult your healthcare provider with questions.