Licorice is a treatment that raises blood pressure

Licorice is a root with multiple medicinal properties and is widely used in herbal and traditional Asian medicine. Rich in glycyrrhizic acid, it has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties making it a popular natural remedy.

But licorice also hides a dark side: it Ability to raise blood pressure Insidious.

A strong angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.

In the kidney, glycyrrhizic acid inhibits the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, resulting in a compensatory increase in plasma renin. Renin is a hormone that controls the production of angiotensin I and aldosterone.

Aldosterone itself is a mineralocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, which stimulates the reabsorption of sodium and water by the kidneys. This leads to volume expansion and an increase in blood pressure.

Explain this mechanism Antihypertensive effects of licoriceEven at low doses, this has been proven in numerous experimental studies.

Tolerance thresholds for review

Based on scientific data, in 2009 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established an acceptable daily intake of 50 to 100 mg of glycyrrhizic acid, in order to reduce the risk of high blood pressure associated with chronic consumption.

However, a recent clinical study⁽¹⁾ It calls into question these recommendations. Healthy volunteers received increasing doses of licorice, equivalent to 100 mg per day of glycyrrhizic acid, for 4 weeks. a result: Significant increases in blood pressure noticed.

These observations suggest that the tolerance threshold for glycyrrhizic acid may be lower than current recommendations, and that reevaluation by public health agencies is necessary.

Population at risk

Certain groups are more sensitive to the antihypertensive effects of licorice, including patients with kidney failure, the elderly, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Licorice-induced hypertension may also be worsened by concomitant treatment with corticosteroids or oral contraceptives.

Therefore, extreme caution is required in these vulnerable populations, preferring occasional consumption over prolonged treatment.

What to remember

Beneath its sweet, harmless appearance, licorice hides a powerhouse for high blood pressure that should not be underestimated. Respecting recommendations on maximum doses, and staying alert to any warning signs of blood pressure, are the best ways to benefit from the benefits of this root, without falling into the trap of temptations.

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