Heart problems through licorice

Licorice: danger for coronary arteries
Consuming a bag of licorice was almost fatal for a young woman. The treats had almost caused a fatal heart attack. The licorice glycyrrhizin contained in liquorice had apparently caused a cramp in the coronary vessels.

Although licorice is an effective remedy, over-consumption can lead to serious heart problems. Image: Klaus Eppele / Fotolia

Liquorice is known to increase blood pressure, scientists said. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment therefore recommends that consumers consume no more than 100 mg of glycyrrhizin a day. It is less well known that liquorice can trigger an acute circulatory crisis in the heart muscle by narrowing the coronary arteries. This was the case with a 44-year-old woman, in whom the researchers were able to detect a spasm of the blood vessel.

The hypertensive effect of licorice is based on the inhibition of the enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, 11-BHSD2 for short. In the body, it decomposes cortisol to cortisone. If it is inhibited, there is an increase in cortisol. The blood volume and thus the blood pressure rise. The enzyme 11-BHSD2 is also present in the wall of blood vessels, where it is involved in the regulation of vessel diameter. In animal experiments it could be shown that the inhibition of 11-BHSD2 can trigger a vascular spasm. (Pm)