Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
Ammonium glycyrrhizate (glycyrrhizin) is GRAS as a flavoring at limited levels but at high intakes can cause hypertension, hypokalemia, and pseudoaldosteronism by inhibiting 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The FDA has issued consumer warnings about black licorice and EFSA recommends an upper intake limit of 100 mg/day glycyrrhizic acid for adults.
What it is
The ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid, a sweet compound extracted from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra); intensely sweet, ~50x sucrose.
Sweetener, flavor enhancer, licorice flavoring.
Why it's flagged
- Hypertension and hypokalemia at high intake (pseudoaldosteronism)
- Drug interactions with diuretics and digoxin
- EFSA upper limit 100 mg/day glycyrrhizic acid
What regulators actually say
"If you're 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. FDA experts say black licorice contains the compound glycyrrhizin, which is the sweetening compound derived from licorice root. Glycyrrhizin can cause potassium levels in the body to fall."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS as a flavoring agent under 21 CFR 184.1408 with limits (max ~0.1% in licorice candy).
European Union — EFSA
Authorized as a flavoring; EFSA recommends not exceeding 100 mg/day glycyrrhizic acid.
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