This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Women Should Avoid Licorice While Pregnant, Warns New Study

Nooooooo!

New research from Finland has confirmed that women should avoid consuming large amounts of licorice (or liquorice) during pregnancy, however the limit for safe consumption is still unknown.

The study, which was carried out by the University of Helsinki, the National Institute for Health and Welfare and the Helsinki and Uusimaa hospital, looked at 378 children around 13 years of age whose mothers had consumed either "large amounts" or "little/no" licorice during pregnancy.

The study defined a large amount as over 500 mg of glycyrrhizin per week — the main constituent of licorice — and little or no licorice as less than 249 mg glycyrrhizin per week.

A total of 500 mg of glycyrrhizin corresponds on average to 250 g of licorice.

Glycyrrhizin is already known to cause higher blood pressure and shorter pregnancies, however previous studies have not proven any long-lasting effects on the fetus until now.

To look at these long-tern effects participants were asked to complete cognitive reasoning tests carried out by a psychologist.

The team found that those children who were exposed to large amounts of licorice in the womb had lower test results than those who were exposed to smaller amounts or no licorice — a difference equivalent to approximately seven IQ points.

In addition children exposed to high levels of licorice also showed lower tests results in tasks measuring memory capacity.

Parents also reported that these children showed more ADHD-type problems than others, and in girls puberty also started earlier and advanced further.

In Finland the National Institute for Health and Welfare already places licorice in the 'not recommended' category for pregnant women, but states that occasional consumption of small amounts of licorice, such as a portion of licorice ice cream or a few licorice sweets, poses no danger.

The researchers now advise that both pregnant women and those planning on becoming pregnant should be made more aware of the harmful effects that glycyrrhizin-containing products — such as licorice and salty licorice — may have on their unborn child.

The results can be found online published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Also on HuffPost

Certain Cheeses

Foods To Eat And Avoid For Pregnancy

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.