If you have a soft spot for black licorice, you may want to think twice before reaching for another piece. Cardiologist Dr. Nicole Harkin recently shed light on a handful of surprising culprits behind elevated blood pressure, and one of them turns out to be a beloved candy. She shared her findings through a video posted to her TikTok profile, pointing out that even seemingly harmless everyday habits can have unexpected consequences for heart health. Her warning quickly caught the attention of licorice fans everywhere.
Black licorice landed at the top of Dr. Harkin’s list of lesser-known blood pressure triggers. She noted that consuming “large amounts of black licorice” can cause blood pressure to rise in ways most people would never anticipate. To illustrate the point, she shared a striking example from her own practice: “I had a patient who recently developed a blood pressure problem due to a newly discovered obsession with black licorice. The problem disappeared as soon as I discovered the cause and advised her to stop eating it.” The case serves as a vivid reminder that food choices can have a serious and direct impact on cardiovascular health.
The compound responsible for this effect is glycyrrhizin, a natural substance found in licorice root that is anywhere from 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar. Glycyrrhizin can throw off the body’s balance of potassium and sodium, two minerals that are essential for regulating fluid levels. When this balance is disrupted, the body may retain excess fluid, which in turn drives blood pressure upward. Muscle weakness is another potential consequence of this imbalance. The British Heart Foundation has also issued warnings about the risks associated with black licorice consumption.
Dr. Harkin was careful to note that diet, physical activity, age, and genetics remain the primary drivers of blood pressure issues. That said, she highlighted a range of additional factors that many people overlook, including certain medications. Among those she mentioned were birth control pills, chronic high-dose use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, steroids, decongestants, and some weight loss medications. She also pointed to thyroid disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and heavy alcohol intake, which she defined as consuming more than one drink per day.
@nicoleharkinmd While diet, physical activity, age, and genetics are the major players for our blood pressure, there are a number of other things that can raise blood pressure that are good to be aware of 💊 medications – common ones include birth control, chronic high dose NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Advil, etc), steroids, decongestants, stimulants, and some weight loss medications. You can discuss with your doctor if any of your medicines might be contributing 🦋 thyroid disorders 😴 obstructive sleep apnea – symptoms include snoring, gasping for air at night, morning headaches, and feeling exhausted despite “a good night of sleep” 🍷 excessive alcohol intake – anything more than 1 drink/night 🍬 black licorice – fun fact, I actually had one patient who had new blood pressure issues from her new found obsession with black licorice. It resolved when I figured it out and had her stop eating it! ☕️ And for all of you coffee drinkers, studies have shown that in habitual coffee drinkers, a few mugs a day does *not* raise blood pressure. Phew. As always, discuss any specifics with your doctor #heartdisease #heartdiseaseawareness #heartdiseaseprevention #heartattack #hearthealth #hearthealthy #hearthealthydiet #cardiology #cardiologist #womeninmedicine #doctorsoftiktok #womenshearthealth #plantbased #highcholesterol #bloodpressure #heartattackprevention #hearthealthyfood #preventioniskey #healthscreening #preventionworks #eatmoreplants #eattherainbow #eatyourveggies #plantpowered #wfpb #plantbaseddiet #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – Nicole Harkin, MD
Dietitian Victoria Taylor offered some important nuance on the subject, explaining that an occasional small piece of black licorice is unlikely to cause harm for most people. However, she stressed that more regular consumption is a different story: “Daily consumption of larger, even moderate amounts of black licorice, approximately 2 ounces, can have negative consequences, especially for people over 40 with a history of cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.” Her advice underscores the importance of moderation, particularly for those who are already managing heart-related conditions.
Black licorice has been used for centuries in both confectionery and traditional medicine, with origins tracing back to ancient Egypt, China, and the Middle East. The plant it comes from, Glycyrrhiza glabra, has long been recognized for its medicinal properties, though its active compounds can interact with the body in powerful ways. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has previously cautioned that people aged 40 and older who eat 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could find themselves hospitalized due to an irregular heart rhythm. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common chronic conditions in the country, affecting nearly half of American adults, and it significantly raises the risk of heart attack and stroke when left unmanaged. Understanding the full range of factors that can contribute to elevated readings, including dietary ones that often fly under the radar, is a key part of keeping the heart healthy over the long term.
If you have ever been surprised by a food that affected your blood pressure or health in an unexpected way, share your experience in the comments.
