Death by Black Licorice: A Halloween Candy Reminder

We love our Halloween Candy, and ’tis the season for most of us to eat quite a bit more candy than normal. After all, it’s easy to rationalize such an indulgence this time of year. That said, the first time I heard that too much black licorice can cause minor to major heart issues, a trip to the hospital, and even death, I thought it seemed so farfetched. What’s worth keeping in mind is that it doesn’t take much to cause heart issues, while an overload can actually kill you.

I like black licorice, especially gourmet, but only a few pieces on rare occasions. So, if you’re like me, the chances of adhering to heart issues or even dying are out of the question, unlike a 54-year-old construction worker in Massachusetts who died back in September 2020.

This man ate a bag-and-a-half of black licorice every single day for a few weeks and according to AP News, just a small amount of licorice, black jelly beans, black gumballs, and even black licorice teas and alcohol in one sitting increases your blood pressure.

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This effect has to do with the licorice root extract.

Apparently, it can cause dangerously low potassium and electrolyte imbalances. As a matter of fact, just eating as little as two ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks can cause heart rhythm problems, especially if you’re over 40 years old, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

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Two ounces is eating just four Twizzlers’ vines. That’s not a lot if you’re a black licorice lover who enjoys a few each day, so as always, moderation is key.

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