Glycyrrhizin
A natural extract; high intake can cause high blood pressure.
- Category
- Sweeteners
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
The intensely sweet active compound extracted from liquorice root.
How it is used in food
Glycyrrhizin is 30–50 times sweeter than sucrose and brings a distinctive lingering liquorice sweetness that no other sweetener reproduces, which is why it survives in confectionery, herbal teas, some beers and tobacco products. It is also a natural surfactant, so it stabilises foam in drinks, and it is genuinely effective at masking the bitterness of other ingredients.
Commonly found in- Liquorice sweets
- Cough syrups
Health and safety
While natural and used globally as a flavoring, high consumption can cause dangerous increases in blood pressure (hypertension) and lower potassium levels. Not technically classed as an E-number sweetener in the EU, but as a flavoring.
The EU Scientific Committee on Food advised that habitual intake should not exceed 100 mg per day, and EU law requires confectionery and drinks above defined glycyrrhizin thresholds to carry the statement "contains liquorice — people suffering from hypertension should avoid excessive consumption". The FDA has issued repeated public warnings that roughly 2 ounces of black liquorice a day for two weeks can trigger arrhythmia in adults over 40, and case reports of hypokalaemia, oedema and hypertensive crisis in heavy consumers are well documented in the clinical literature.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E958
Worth knowing
Glycyrrhizin's problem is not toxicity in the usual sense but hormone mimicry. Its metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in the kidney, which normally deactivates cortisol; unopposed cortisol then stimulates mineralocorticoid receptors, causing sodium retention, potassium loss and rising blood pressure — a syndrome doctors call pseudohyperaldosteronism.
Conclusion
A natural extract; high intake can cause high blood pressure.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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