Don’t Laugh At Licorice

Q. My adult son eats large amounts of black licorice regularly. I have told him that eating large amounts of licorice can have a negative effect on his health. He tells me I’m crazy! I can’t remember the particulars of what I read. Can you help?
A. If the candy he eats contains natural licorice for flavoring, he could be putting himself at risk for high blood pressure. Just a handful of black licorice on a regular basis can reduce the amount of potassium in the body and may lead to fluid retention, not to mention irregular heart rhythms. Other side effects such as muscle weakness and lowered libido may offer a more convincing argument that he should be moderate in his licorice consumption.