Why is licorice bad for your blood pressure?
According to the National Institutes of Health, licorice is bad for your blood pressure. Here we will tell you two reasons why licorice that contains Glycyrrhizic acid is bad for your blood pressure.
You probably know that salt is not good for your blood pressure, because it retains excess or unneeded water in your body. Excess water makes your heart have to work harder. Licorice ALSO retains excess water in your body!
Potassium is important to the health of your heart. You may eat foods with a lot of potassium like bananas, mushrooms, advocados, fish, and beans, to make your heart strong. However, if you eat licorice too, then your healthy potassium eating will all be for nothing. Licorice causes your kidneys to discard potassium.
In conclusion, licorice not only makes your body hold onto unwanted water like salt does, which causes your heart to work harder, but licorice also gets rid of heart-strengthening potassium. Obviously, neither result is good for your blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, you may want to stay away from candy, root beer, and other food products that contain licorice or more specifically Glycyrrhizin.
Blood Pressure Lookup
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How is licorice made?
Go here to find out how licorice is made.
Sodium Lookup
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Our "Why is licorice bad for your blood pressure?" page is for information only. Research Maniacs is not responsible for any errors or omissions. We strongly recommend that you see a doctor for all medical needs and concerns.