Jump to content
Want to remove all ads? ×

Massachusetts man dies from eating too much black licorice, doctors say

BROOKLYN JET

By BROOKLYN JET
in The Jets Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

BROOKLYN JET

BROOKLYN JET

Posted
Posted

AP Updated: 9:38 PM EDT Sep 23, 2020

By Marilyn Marchione, AP Chief Medical Writer

BOSTON —

A Massachusetts construction worker’s love of black licorice wound up costing him his life. Eating a bag and a half every day for a few weeks threw his nutrients out of whack and caused the 54-year-old man’s heart to stop, doctors reported Wednesday.

“Even a small amount of licorice you eat can increase your blood pressure a little bit,” said Dr. Neel Butala, a cardiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who described the case in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The problem is glycyrrhizic acid, found in black licorice and in many other foods and dietary supplements containing licorice root extract. It can cause dangerously low potassium and imbalances in other minerals called electrolytes.

Eating as little as 2 ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks could cause a heart rhythm problem, especially for folks over 40, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

“It’s more than licorice sticks. It could be jelly beans, licorice teas, a lot of things over the counter. Even some beers, like Belgian beers, have this compound in it,” as do some chewing tobaccos, said Dr. Robert Eckel, a University of Colorado cardiologist and former American Heart Association president. He had no role in the Massachusetts man’s care.

The death was clearly an extreme case. The man had switched from red, fruit-flavored twists to the black licorice version of the candy a few weeks before his death last year. He collapsed while having lunch at a fast-food restaurant. Doctors found he had dangerously low potassium, which led to heart rhythm and other problems. Emergency responders did CPR and he revived but died the next day.

The FDA permits up to 3.1% of a food’s content to have glycyrrhizic acid, but many candies and other licorice products don’t reveal how much of it is contained per ounce, Butala said. Doctors have reported the case to the FDA in hope of raising attention to the risk.

Jeff Beckman, a spokesman for the Hershey Company, which makes the popular Twizzlers licorice twists, said in an email that “all of our products are safe to eat and formulated in full compliance with FDA regulations,” and that all foods, including candy, “should be enjoyed in moderation.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-man-dies-from-eating-too-much-black-licorice-doctors-say/34135425

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CTM

CTM

Posted
Posted
24 minutes ago, BROOKLYN JET said:

What about @The Crusher?

Crusher has the digestive system of a great white. His stomach acid can break down a brick of pure tungsten in only 3 lunar cycles. There is no concern when it comes to crusher and any kind of food borne ailment, I assure you.

T0m on the other hand is kind of creepy, if I came across a news snippet about him OD'ing on black licorce and not being found for weeks I don't think I'd be surprised at all really.

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
BROOKLYN JET

BROOKLYN JET

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just now, CTM said:

Crusher has the digestive system of a great white. His stomach acid can break down a brick of pure tungsten in only 3 lunar cycles. There is no concern there.

This is why he identifies with teh goats.

1 minute ago, CTM said:

T0m on the other hand is kind of creepy, if I came across a new snippet about him OD'ing on black licorce and not being found for weeks I don't think I'd be surprised at all really.

Me neither, my Lord is rich in mercy.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
The Crusher

The Crusher

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, CTM said:

Crusher has the digestive system of a great white. His stomach acid can break down a brick of pure tungsten in only 3 lunar cycles. There is no concern when it comes to crusher and any kind of food borne ailment, I assure you.

T0m on the other hand is kind of creepy, if I came across a news snippet about him OD'ing on black licorce and not being found for weeks I don't think I'd be surprised at all really.

* 3 1/2, ever since I turned 50. 

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
JustInFudge

JustInFudge

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, joewilly12 said:

Hoping you surf in shark infested water. 

Im your dad. Whats up son. 

I grew up surfing in Volusia County - shark bit capital of the world.  They havent got me but I catch them and eat them or make chum from their guts.  Sharks aint sh*t, when you're me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

Content Partnership

Yes Network

Site Sponsor

MILE-Social - NJ Social Media & SEO company

Site Sponsor

MetLife Stadium Tailgate

NY Jets Podcast

NY Jets Podcast

DMCA Page

  • -- DMCA Page
    • ×
    ×
    • Create New...