What’s liquorice?
Liquorice is the widespread identify given to a flowering plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) that grows in components of Asia and Europe. The foundation of the liquorice plant is the supply of a candy, fragrant compound referred to as glycyrrhizin which is used as a flavouring in confectionery and drinks, the foundation itself may additionally be used as a dietary complement.
Uncover our full vary of well being profit guides and check out a few of our liquorice recipes.
Dietary profile
A small serving (42g) of black liquorice supplies:
140 Kcal/586KJ
1.0g Protein
1.0g Fats
33.0g Carbohydrate
6.0g Sugar
1.0g Fibre
Is liquorice a wholesome alternative?
Liquorice root is promoted as a well being support for digestive points together with heartburn and peptic ulcers, menopausal signs together with selling bone well being, coughs, sore throats in addition to viral infections. Though, it must be famous there isn’t any proof supporting its use with SARS-CoV-2.
Many of those well being advantages are because of the lively compounds within the root, that are glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetic acid. It is these compounds which might be accountable for the foundation’s antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and explains why liquorice is utilized in a various vary of merchandise from topical pores and skin merchandise to dietary supplements, and from confectionery to flavoured drinks.
One mechanism accountable for the well being implications of liquorice relates, partially, to its potential to inhibit an enzyme that inactivates the stress hormone, cortisol. This mode of motion could be useful for these with adrenal fatigue, as a result of it helps the physique regulate cortisol and maintain regular adrenal perform. Nevertheless, in a similar way this similar mode of motion might result in heightened cortisol ranges, disruption to electrolyte steadiness and the re-absorption of salt and fluids, and consequently elevate blood strain, promote oedema (extra tissue fluids) and extra.
Glycyrrhizin is accountable for most of the unwanted effects of liquorice and for that reason it’s typically faraway from dietary dietary supplements. Such merchandise are known as de-glycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL) and are sometimes the product of alternative for signs of digestive points, like heartburn.
Is liquorice secure for everybody?
For many of us, the liquorice present in meals is usually thought-about suitable for eating and secure when consumed as a medication for brief intervals of time. Nevertheless, when consumed in giant quantities, over an prolonged interval, it might probably trigger potassium ranges within the physique to fall and influence blood strain. Some individuals could also be notably delicate to those results, this contains these with coronary heart illness, kidney illness and hypertension (hypertension).
Moreover, even black liquorice, loved as a confectionery, might work together with sure drugs in addition to different herbs and dietary supplements. These drugs embrace these used for managing blood strain, together with diuretics and warfarin, in addition to hormone alternative remedy.
Because of this, in case you are over 40, have a historical past of coronary heart illness, hypertension or each, and also you eat greater than 57g of black liquorice a day, or complement with liquorice, then you need to be conscious that this may occasionally result in well being issues, together with a rise in blood strain and probably an irregular coronary heart beat (arrhythmia). It is because glycyrrhizin in liquorice has various results on the physique together with reducing potassium ranges which disrupts muscle perform and electrolyte steadiness.
Due to this fact, should you fall into this group, and you might be on prescribed medicine or complement with different herbs, verify along with your GP or pharmacist earlier than including liquorice to your regime.
Proof suggests that in being pregnant liquorice is suitable for eating however it’s best to keep away from liquorice root. Equally, when you have a hormone-sensitive well being subject you need to be conscious that liquorice might have an oestrogenic impact within the physique which can worsen your situation.
Final ideas on liquorice…
For those who’re a fan of liquorice confectionery it’s value remembering that not all ‘liquorice’ is made with the actual liquorice extract, some sweets are flavoured with aniseed or different comparable flavourings. This implies should you get pleasure from liquorice, however fall into one of many aforementioned teams, you may nonetheless get pleasure from an analogous tasting candy. If a product incorporates liquorice it must be listed on the label beneath elements as liquorice extract or glycyrrhizic acid.
Do you get pleasure from liquorice confectionery or have you ever used liquorice for well being causes? Share your experiences within the feedback beneath….
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This text was written by Registered Nutritionist Kerry Torrens on 29 June 2022.
Kerry Torrens BSc. (Hons) PgCert MBANT is a Registered Nutritionist with a put up graduate diploma in Personalised Diet & Dietary Remedy. She is a member of the British Affiliation for Diet and Way of life Drugs (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Meals Writers. During the last 15 years she has been a contributing creator to various dietary and cookery publications together with BBC Good Meals. Discover her on Instagram at @kerry_torrens_nutrition_
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