Halloween might be the holiday of horror and spookiness, but the real reason why we love it so much is candy. However, be careful what treats you choose, as some of them might have terrible effects if consumed in excessive quantities. The first one you should put on the black list is the highly controversial black licorice, as it might greatly affect your heart.
Black licorice reduces the levels of potassium in the body
Black licorice split people in two groups, as some love it, while others would do anything not to taste it. On Halloween, when people consume overwhelming amounts of candy, a lot of people tend to overeat this medicinal-tasting treat. This is why the FDA issued a warning regarding this treat, as people might experience heart trouble if they consume too much of it.
The real problem with black licorice is a compound found in it, called glycyrrhizin. This substance can have negative effects if consumed in excessive amounts, as it causes a sudden drop in the levels of potassium in the body. Low levels of this substance then lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, and might even lead to heart failure.
The treat can affect the heart, and might interact with medication
If people older than 40 eat about two ounces of black licorice every day for a period of two weeks, they might develop arrhythmia. Also, eating a high quantity of the treat during one sitting has an immediate effect on the heart, and all people who experience this should go see a doctor immediately.
However, the effects of low potassium are temporary, and they usually go away if the person stops eating the product. Even so, the FDA advises everybody to avoid eating too much licorice, especially if they take medicine or dietary supplements. Some people dislike the treat, as it has a taste similar to some medications. However, it has still managed to gather a lot of fans in the US and all over the world.
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