Black licorice is one of those candies people seem to either love or hate. But, even if you like the stuff and you get a bunch for free today, you should go easy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding everyone that while safe in small amounts, black licorice does contain a compound that can make you sick or even kill you. The candy contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweet flavoring that comes from the licorice root.
But, the issue is the compound can alter potassium levels in the body. If your potassium level drops too low you can experience a host of issues, with the worst being congestive heart failure. For consumers who are over the age of 40, the FDA says eating two ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with heart trouble. So no matter what your age, keep your servings of black licorice small.
