Q. My husband’s doctor says he’s fine except for being borderline diabetic. My husband retired recently and is now in the house all day. He hardly eats during the day. He thinks he’s too fat, though he is not. He drinks 6 cans of beer a day and eats a small dinner. Though I prepare a healthy meal, he always says he is too full. What he does eat is bags of black licorice. I’ve heard that is not good for the heart. Is that true?
A. If your husband is drinking 6 cans of beer and eating a bag of black licorice a day, it’s little wonder he has no appetite and is borderline diabetic. All those carbs are not good for his health.
In addition, that much licorice can disrupt the body’s balance of potassium and other minerals. It can also raise blood pressure and lower libido.