The scary consequences of too much black licorice

Tuesday is Halloween, and, right on schedule, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing its annual warning to not eat too much black licorice. According to the FDA, for those 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. FDA experts said black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall. When that happens, some people experience abnormal heart rhythms, as well as high blood pressure, swelling, lethargy, and congestive heart failure.

from News http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/The-scary-consequences-of-too-much-black-licorice-12317826.php