FDA Warning: Black Licorice Can Cause Heart Problems

Most people would agree, when it comes to favourite sweets, black licorice ranks pretty low on the list.

A sweetening compound contained in black licorice called glycyrrhizin is at the root of the issue.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the old-fashioned Halloween favorite can cause problems like irregular heart rhythm, especially in people over the age of 40. And, the link has been noted in several different medical journals over the years.

For instance, here's one: Did you know that too much black licorice can literally kill you?

If you feel symptoms, you should stop consuming the candy and consult your physician and the FDA.

So those at a greater risk should eat these delicious slime-filled spider treats in moderation, for example.

When looking at candy labels, keep an eye out for "licorice flavor, extract, oil, or natural flavoring", as these will contain the hazardous compound, Cassell says.

Duterte visit to Japan yields $6 billion in investment pledges
Duterte said he would likewise extend the Filipinos' appreciation over Japan's "timely assistance" in addressing insurgency in the southern Philippines.

Granted, you'd have to be a pretty big licorice fan, but stranger things have happened.

The warning comes after the FDA received a report in 2016 of a black licorice lover who had problems after eating the candy.

The FDA put out a festive video explaining the issue with licorice and "witching" you a Happy and safe Halloween. Black licorice also interferes with a few medications like reduction in effectiveness of estrogen pills and warfarin (Coumadin).

Luckily, Americans don't seem to particularly like black licorice anyway.

However, don't fret too much if you consume copious amounts of black licorice as ceasing to eat the candy should restore your potassium levels fairly quickly, bringing you back to homeostasis.

Licorice is a shrub mainly grown in Turkey, Greece and Asia for commercial use.

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