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Trick or Treat: Don't Eat Too Much Black Licorice on Halloween, Warns FDA
It's that time of year again when ghoulish children turn up at your door, demanding payment in candy or threatening a sinister trick instead. But if you're keeping a bowl of sweets on stand-by, you might want to leave out the black licorice.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning ahead of Halloween—which it describes as the "biggest candy eating holiday of the year"—urging people not to overdo it on the medicinal-tasting candy or potentially face heart problems.
The problem is caused by glycyrrhizin—a sweetening compound derived from the root of licorice, a low-growing shrub that is found most in Greece, Turkey and Asia. When consumed in large amounts, glycyrrhizin can prompt potassium levels in the body to fall. Low potassium can lead to a variety of health issues, particularly abnormal heart rhythms, but also high blood pressure, swelling, lethargy, and even congestive heart failure.
The FDA warned that, for people 40 years old or over, eating two ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks can result in arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm. Potassium levels usually return to normal with no permanent health problems when a person stops eating it, according to the FDA's Linda Katz.
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Also at Business Insider.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Magic Oddball on Wednesday November 01 2017, @08:34AM
Except that they aren't. Let's see:
Valentine's Day — mostly about giving a card/gift to one's partner; kids exchange little cards with classmates (some of which give 2-3 tiny candy hearts), possibly get to have a small cupcake in class, and might get a small amount of candy from parents.
Easter — mostly about coloring & hiding eggs for kids, then a special dinner with family; kids might get a moderate amount of candy in their basket, but aren't usually allowed to gorge on it. (Some adults now will let themselves have a few of their childhood favorites, but most won't overdo it.)
4th of July — mostly about fireworks, hanging out with friends/family
Halloween — mostly about kids wearing costumes & trick-or-treating (after which they might get to have 2-3 small candy bars, then get to snack on it a little at a time for the next week or two).
Thanksgiving — mostly about spending time with relatives and eating a traditional meal (turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, etc.).
Christmas — mostly about giving/getting gifts & again having a meal with relatives; stockings usually tiny gifts & a modest amount of treats (candy, etc.)