Disodium Glycyrrhizate
Disodium glycyrrhizate is a licorice-derived sweetener (~50x sweeter than sugar). Excess intake causes pseudoaldosteronism: hypokalemia, hypertension, and arrhythmias.
What it is
Disodium salt of glycyrrhizic acid extracted from licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root.
Sweetener and flavor enhancer; FDA recognizes glycyrrhizic acid forms as GRAS flavoring under 21 CFR 184.1408.
Why it's flagged
- Hypokalemia and hypertension at chronic intakes >100 mg glycyrrhizin/day
- Cardiac arrhythmia risk in vulnerable adults
- Pregnancy concerns
What regulators actually say
"The European Union established guidance that an upper limit of 100 mg/day of glycyrrhizin is recommended... about 2% of the regular consumers have a daily intake of glycyrrhizinic acid of over 100 mg/day."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS as flavoring/flavor enhancer under 21 CFR 184.1408 (Ammoniated glycyrrhizin) with use-level limits
European Union — EFSA
EU SCF recommended ingestion not to regularly exceed 100 mg/day glycyrrhizin
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