Apparently black licorice cuts down testosterone levels and has Hugh amounts of natural estrogens in there o: you probably can't go through hormone therapy by just eating it. but it is good for keeping t-levels lowered o: I might go get some right now I love the stuff :3

It is also a powerful anti constipation therapy!

Definitely one of my least favourite foods! 

Don't go out and start eating a ton of it...

QuoteThe problem is that too much licorice can cause your potassium levels to drop, say FDA experts. And that is bad news, because potassium is an essential electrolyte that is involved in electrical and cellular activity throughout the body. Without it, we would seize up like robots when their batteries run out. Here are just some examples of what it plays a key role in:

• Balancing acids and bases in body fluids.
  
• Making proteins from amino acids.
  
• Metabolizing carbohydrates to make energy.
  
• Building muscle and growing tissue.
  
• Keeping electrical activity in the heart normal.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236780.php

QuoteA 49-year-old female physician presented with peripheral edema, weight gain and relative hypertension caused by the consumption of licorice candy cigars containing glycyrrhizic acid (GZA) found in natural licorice extract. Although the patient's response to GZA resolved spontaneously, emergency physician awareness of the toxic effects of natural licorice extract may avert symptom progression in early-identified cases. The benefits of natural licorice extract as a flavour enhancer and herbal medicine are recognized worldwide. The Canadian public is likely not generally aware of the toxic potential of GZA, or that it may be present in the following commonly consumed products: black licorice, chewing gum, herbal teas, soft drinks, tobaccos and herbal remedies for cough, stomach ailments and constipation. Emergency physicians should inquire about the consumption of products that may contain natural licorice extract when patients present with unexplained hypertension, hypokalemia, edema, rhabdomyolysis or myoglobinuria.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19166646

Aya, first I was elated as I love liquorice (and sambuca) as well as many liquorice flavoured components of food preparation and cooking....

But now my habits might need to be moderated, but of course it is down to quantities consumed.

L Katy xx

I can't stand black licorice. Red, on the other hand, is very tasty though I haven't had it in a while.

This sucks. I have been eating watermelon licorice the past three days for nothing except calories... 

I love black licorice, but in moderation. To much can be a bad thing right? Hugs
Mariah

when I was a kid I loved black licorice , then I stopped eating it completely. I started reading this post and was going to go to the CVS next door and load up then I read further and decided just to have another mocha. The things you find on Susan's.

It's all about moderation c:

Quote from: Susan on May 24, 2015, 05:15:30 AM
Don't go out and start eating a ton of it...

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236780.php

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19166646

I wonder if it will counter the effects of spiro which can actually cause an excess of potassium? Might be something to discuss with the dr.

I think with all these foods that can have hormonal effects like licorice, soy, flaxseed and anything else has such a minimal effect that to actually gain any of those benefits you would have to eat an unhealthy amount and at that point it will cause more health issues like weight gain or other unwanted chemical imbalances. I think I read something that some guy did have some mild breast grown that was linked to drinking soy milk but that amount that he drank was something like a gallon a day.

Can I just gently point out that this is talking about black liquorice root - as in the medicinal spice - not the rather yummy confectionary of the same name which is made from treacle and actually has very little liquorice in it at all...

Various helath food shops sell the root as sticks that you can chew on, but its not like the confectionary version, and I would also echo Susans Wise warning. Hypokalemia can cause life threatening cardiac arrythmias. You really don't want to go there. I've dealt with people with hypokalemia in ER and its not a fun thing, so please be careful.