/oss/taxonomy/term/3601/all en /oss/article/health/licking-liquorice-habit <p>An astute physician immediately asked about the woman's dietary habits and discovered that she was virtually addicted to liquorice candies, eating up to half a pound a day! Right then and there the problem was solved. The most prevalent compound in liquorice, and the most studied, is glycyrrhizin, also known as glycyrrhizic acid. This has hormonal effects resembling those of aldosterone, an adrenal gland hormone that is responsible for maintaining mineral balance in the blood by helping the body retain sodium and excrete potassium. Too much aldosterone, or compounds that behave like it, wil</p> Tue, 25 Apr 2017 18:06:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2412 at /oss