Beware liquorice!

[valeriep]

When a friend (who had a procedure due to AF earlier this year) was visiting a couple of months ago, we went into an old-fashioned sweet shop in town and being fond of liquorice, she bought a few different varieties. We were talking on the phone the other day and she told me her blood pressure had suddenly risen so high - the upper figure being 197 at one point - her doctor was alarmed and gave her additional medication. She was trying to figure out what could have caused it and googled 'liquorice', found out it raised BP, so threw away what was left and her BP returned to normal. I had a vague idea that liqurice affected BP, but I didn't realise it was that dramatic, so - another foodstuff to add to the naughty list!

[Fanfab1]

good job I don’t like liquorice, but good to know!

[Lezzers]

Thank for posting this, very informative. Liquorice can also deplete your potassium which can cause arrythimias!! It's nice to eat but can definitely cause problems.

[valeriep in reply to Lezzers]

I wasn't aware of that either! In the past, I've also found the liquorice tea to be very soothing for sore throats, but I'll steer clear in future.

[Lezzers in reply to valeriep]

I'm wrong!!! Apparently liquorice doesn't increase your potassium, it depletes it! I've amended my comment

[Coco51]

Thanks for that. Who knew?!

[gorillaqueen]

Hi thanks for the info would never have thought. I love liquorice but will now be really careful and maybe stop altogether. Just one more to add to the naughty list.😊🌞X

[Scho1]

I was told by a cardiologist that liquorice also depletes your potassium which is important for the heart, after I was admitted with an abnormal high heart rate, chest pain and fainting.

[Lezzers in reply to Scho1]

I always thought liquorice was high in potassium but a quick Google has shown I'm wrong so I've updated my comment. Thanks for that 👍

[Scho1 in reply to Lezzers]

Yes I thought the opposite too and was shocked to be told this.

[Lezzers in reply to Scho1]

I hope things have settled down with your high heart rate etc. do you mind if I asked what treatment you had for it?

[Scho1 in reply to Lezzers]

I have idiopathic recurrent pericarditis so they put me on a low dose bisoprolol 1.25 and it seems to be working so far.

[Lezzers in reply to Scho1]

That's good to know the bisoprolol working. I asked the question as my husband had similar episodes last year, but his was due to VT's.

[Scho1 in reply to Lezzers]

Hi yes I have supra ventricular tachycardia. Initially I was given bisoprolol to take as and when required which didn’t make sense. A lot of my episodes happen at night between midnight and 6 am strangely. I now take the bisoprolol each morning.

[hanne6263]

I really liked liquorice tea, but had to stop drinking it because it put my blood pressure up! Fortunately I was monitoring my BP at the time I started drinking the tea. I think there should be a warning on the packet.

[Dollcollector in reply to hanne6263]

Me too. It was my favourite tea. It didn't affect me but l was told it is bad for people withheart conditions. I did stop drinking it but l am wondering if a drink of tea might not be as bad as eating actual liquorice. I have given up so many foods and drinks because of my heart, there isn't much left.

[peterjones105]

Luckily I can't stand liquorice but I have found that both dark chocolate and herbal tea significantly raises my BP., I avoid all three like I would the bubonic plague.

[Dollcollector in reply to peterjones105]

I drink herbal teas, they don't raise my b.p. All chocolate though is a no no.

[Blueflags]

Ooh! Interesting, I’ve never been told by any medical professional to avoid Liquorice., regarding AF etc. I was enjoying Liquorice Allsorts but when I was put on steroids for Polymyalgia I read the patient info and it said not to eat it as it will render the steroids to be less effective. Shame as I love them 😅😅

[valeriep]

And we all thought the worst that could happen was that it would make your teeth look black!

[Velda1]

my hubby takes it to increase his bp on occasion as his tends to run low. I have high bp so never touch it

[Silvertail]

Yes, I have read that lot over the years, so eat it sparingly.