Liquorice has a long history; the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabral has been used medicinally for over 4,000 years.
Liquorice has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties and has been used, notably in traditional Chinese medicine, for the treatment of gastric ulcers and liver disorders, such as hepatitis B.
Among its less beneficial effects on the body is raised blood pressure, caused by the glycyrrhizic acid it contains, if you eat too much. Through its interaction with the hormone aldosterone, it causes reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium, resulting in an increase in sodium levels and a decrease in potassium levels – one symptom of which is muscular weakness. And pregnant women have been advised to avoid it because it pushes up levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. A study just published upon which this advice is based, drew on several hundred children born in Finland in 1998. They found that mothers who ate more liquorice (salmiak, liquorice with added ammonium chloride) gave birth to children who were more likely to have lower IQs and to suffer from ADHD.
Liquorice is good for you, and also bad. Salmiakki is right out. Hmm, better go with Twizzlers instead.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Tuesday March 14 2017, @11:30AM (1 child)
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 14 2017, @10:25PM
This. I discovered it with Glenmorangie Lasanta, which is rather... characteristic.... Chewed a Terva Leijona and had a sip of the whisky, and all of a sudden it was this wonderful, smooth drink.