Liquorice gets talked about two ways: as an old-fashioned treat, and as something people half-remember being \"bad for your blood pressure.\" Both have some truth to them. The sweets themselves aren't dangerous in normal amounts, but the compound that gives real liquorice its flavour is genuinely active in the body, and eating a lot of it regularly is a real, documented concern rather than an old wives' tale.
The compound behind the concern: glycyrrhizin
Liquorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a naturally sweet compound roughly 50 times sweeter than sugar. In the body, it interferes with an enzyme that normally breaks down cortisol, which has a knock-on effect similar to a hormone called aldosterone: it tells the kidneys to hold onto sodium and water and lose potassium. Eat enough of it regularly and that can push blood pressure up and potassium down.
How much is "a lot"?
European and World Health Organization guidance points to roughly 100mg of glycyrrhizin a day as a sensible upper limit for most people, with more sensitive individuals affected at lower levels. A small clinical study found that 100mg a day (around 3.3g of concentrated liquorice) for two weeks was enough to raise blood pressure in healthy young adults, alongside some fluid retention. Most UK liquorice sweets don't state their glycyrrhizin content on the label, so it's hard to put an exact sweet-count on it — but the British Heart Foundation notes that regularly eating even modest amounts could add up to more than the guideline over a day.
This is a “dose and frequency” issue, not a “touch it and you're in trouble” one. An occasional bag of liquorice allsorts or liquorice torpedoes isn't the same as drinking liquorice tea daily or taking liquorice root supplements, which tend to deliver much more concentrated glycyrrhizin.
UK warning labels
UK food labelling law already reflects this. Confectionery containing 100mg or more of glycyrrhizinic acid per kg must carry a “contains liquorice” statement, and products at 400mg per 100g or more must carry a stronger warning telling people with high blood pressure to avoid excessive consumption. Checking the ingredients list for that wording is a reasonable way to gauge how concentrated a particular product is.
Who should be more careful
The British Heart Foundation advises that people with high blood pressure or existing cardiovascular disease should probably avoid or limit liquorice and liquorice products, since the blood-pressure effect is exactly the one they're already managing. The same caution is generally extended to people with kidney conditions and pregnant women. If you eat liquorice regularly and notice swelling, muscle weakness, or an irregular heartbeat, it's worth mentioning to your GP — the effects aren't usually permanent and tend to settle once intake drops, but it's not something to self-diagnose.
And the rest of us?
For most people without a blood pressure or heart condition, liquorice sweets eaten now and then are a normal treat, not a health risk. It's also worth remembering liquorice confectionery is still sugary — most liquorice sweets are around 50% sugar, so a 28g portion carries roughly 14g of sugar and close to 100 calories, which is the more routine reason to keep portions sensible.
This is general guidance, not personalised medical advice — if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or any concerns about your own liquorice intake, check with your doctor. Browse our full liquorice collection to see what we stock.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to eat liquorice every day?
Occasional liquorice sweets are fine for most people, but regularly eating a lot of liquorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium over time, because of a compound called glycyrrhizin. European and WHO guidance suggests staying under roughly 100mg of glycyrrhizin a day, which some sources estimate as around 50-60g of liquorice sweets, though actual content varies by product and isn't usually stated on the label.
Who should avoid or limit liquorice?
The British Heart Foundation advises that anyone with high blood pressure or a cardiovascular condition should probably avoid or limit liquorice and liquorice products. People with kidney conditions or who are pregnant should also be cautious, and anyone noticing symptoms like swelling, muscle weakness or heart palpitations after eating a lot of liquorice should speak to their doctor.
Does UK law require a warning label on liquorice sweets?
Yes. UK food labelling rules require confectionery containing 100mg or more of glycyrrhizinic acid per kg to carry a ‘contains liquorice’ statement, and confectionery at 400mg per 100g or more must carry a stronger warning advising people with high blood pressure to avoid excessive consumption.