Have you heard of 'licorice'? Maybe you know it's good for coughs, or maybe it's something you find in some sweet dishes. But licorice is not just that simple. It has many benefits for the body, but also some things you should be careful about. For thousands of years, licorice has been used as a primary medicine in Chinese medicine and in Western countries. Today, let's talk about the real story of this licorice.
What exactly is licorice?
Simply put, licorice is the root of a plant. The amazing thing about it is that it is about 50 times sweeter than sugar. But it is not just sweet like sugar, it also has many health benefits. Scientists have found that licorice contains more than 300 chemical compounds and flavonoids.
The most important and prominent of these compounds is a chemical called glycyrrhizin . This is the hero responsible for many of the medicinal properties of licorice. Research has shown that this compound can reduce body fat, heal stomach ulcers, and fight infections.
What are the health benefits of licorice?
Okay, so let's see what good things licorice can do for our bodies.
1. Helps heal and prevent stomach ulcers
Stomach inflammation, gastritis, and stomach ulcers are problems that many people have today. Licorice can help with this. Do you know how?
- Increases the production of stomach mucus: This creates a protective layer on the stomach walls, reducing damage from acids.
- Increases blood supply to the stomach: When blood circulation is good, wounds heal faster.
- Regulates the hormone gastrin: Gastrin is a hormone that stimulates the production of stomach acid. Licorice regulates this, reducing the risk of ulcers and acid reflux.
2. Fights cancer cell growth
This is a bit of a deep story, but let's keep it simple. Two studies have shown that licorice can help treat certain types of cancer.
- Glycyrrhizin has been found to be able to destroy stomach cancer and leukemia cells .
- This is called apoptosis , which means that cancer cells are forced to self-destruct.
- Later studies have found that compounds in licorice can also inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells. However, these are still in the research stage.
3. Fights viral and bacterial infections
Licorice has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties, which means it can fight off some of the germs that enter our bodies.
- Bacteria: Licorice can stop the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus, which causes skin infections, and Streptococcus, which causes throat infections.
- Viruses: Research shows that licorice has the ability to slow down the spread of herpes simplex virus, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and even HIV.
4. Helps reduce body fat and control obesity
Obesity is a risk factor for a number of diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure. One study found that a compound called glycyrrhetinic acid found in licorice helps reduce body fat. People who took 3.5 grams of licorice daily lost less body fat in two months, without changing their calorie intake or exercise. They also reduced levels of the hormone aldosterone , which affects blood pressure.
Situations where licorice can be dangerous (things to be careful about)
Despite all these benefits of licorice, like the other side of the coin, it also has side effects that we should be very careful about . These risks can arise especially when licorice is taken in large quantities and for a long time.
Although licorice is natural, not everything that is 'natural' is 'safe' for everyone. If you have other medical conditions or are taking other medications, be sure to talk to your doctor before using licorice.
Let's see what these risks are.
| The Risk | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Irregular Heartbeat | Licorice can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can cause changes in the rhythm of the heart beat. This is called arrhythmia . This is very dangerous for someone with heart disease. |
| High Blood Pressure | Licorice can increase blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, avoid using licorice altogether. Or, talk to your doctor before deciding. |
| Problems during pregnancy | A study conducted in Finland found that children born to mothers who consumed excessive amounts of licorice during pregnancy were at increased risk of developmental problems. Therefore, it is best for pregnant mothers to avoid licorice. |
| Medication Interference | Licorice can interact with some medications you are taking. For example, it is dangerous to take licorice with medications that remove water from the body (Diuretics) and blood pressure medications (Aldactone) . Also, licorice can reduce the effectiveness of medications that prevent blood clotting (Warfarin) . |
So how should you use licorice?
There is no specific recommended dosage for how much licorice should be taken per day, so you need to be very careful when using it.
- If you are taking licorice capsules, be sure to consult your doctor and take only the dosage he or she recommends. Never use these haphazardly.
- Some herbal teas and candies may also contain licorice.
- However, check the label to find out exactly whether the food or drink you buy contains real licorice root extract or artificial sweeteners.
Take-Home Message
- Licorice is a plant with medicinal properties that can help with conditions such as stomach ulcers and infections.
- However, excessive and prolonged use can cause serious side effects such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
- It is very important for pregnant women to completely avoid the use of licorice.
- If you are taking medication for other conditions, licorice may change the effectiveness of those medications.
- Therefore, before using licorice as a food or medicine, be sure to consult your doctor, especially if you have other medical conditions.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න