Ingredient guide
Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Meta-analyses confirm significant blood pressure rises with glycyrrhizin-rich products. Deglycyrrhizinated (DGL) forms remove this risk and are used for digestive comfort.
Limited evidenceLicorice root comes from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant and has been used for thousands of years. Its main active compound is glycyrrhizin (also called glycyrrhizic acid), which is 50 times sweeter than sugar and is responsible for the distinctive flavour. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is licorice with the glycyrrhizin removed.
Meta-analyses confirm that glycyrrhizin-rich licorice raises systolic blood pressure by about 5 mmHg and diastolic by 3 mmHg. Case reports document hypertensive crises with heavy consumption. Licorice flavonoid products (without glycyrrhizin) showed no blood pressure effect. The German Federal Institute and the European Scientific Committee on Food consider 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day to be the upper acceptable amount. We grade the evidence as limited for benefits and well-established for the cardiovascular safety concern.
European safety bodies set 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day (about 50 g of confectionery licorice) as a safety ceiling. DGL is dosed at 380 mg to 760 mg before meals. Ask your healthcare provider before regular use, especially with blood pressure or heart medicine.
Yes. Meta-analyses confirm significant rises with glycyrrhizin-rich products. The safety cap is about 100 mg of glycyrrhizin per day.
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) has the glycyrrhizin removed, so it does not raise blood pressure and is the form used safely for digestive comfort.
