Eloise felt tired, had pain in her legs and noticed that her heart rate was high for a few days. After calling 112, an ambulance came and took her to the hospital. Turns out she ate too much licorice, like The Express reported.
– Life is a matter of dosage when it comes to water, alcohol and Jungle roar, says senior physician Mikael Sandström.
It all unfolded two weeks ago in Skåne, where 39-year-old Eloise lives. She had suffered from fatigue that lasted for several days, also felt that she had a high pulse and exercise pain in her thigh. That pain just got worse and worse and it led to Eloise not even being able to stand up on her legs. Then she called 112, whereupon they sent an ambulance to pick her up.
It is quite unusual. But it is known that it is possible to overdose (on licorice), says senior physician Mikael Sandström.
“Cardiac arrest is described”
One of the first things they asked was if Eloise liked licorice, and she did. After a blood test, the doctors saw that she had a potassium deficiency. And the reason was licorice. For three years, Eloise had eaten about a bag of Jungle Roar a day. Chief physician Mikael Sandström has read up on the case and notes that it is known in medical circles that you can overdose on licorice.
But a bag of sweets on Saturday is no danger. The danger lies in eating every day. Kidney damage, swollen legs, heart failure, lack of potassium and cardiac arrest are described, says senior physician Mikael Sandström.
Eloise had to spend six days in hospital, and in the meantime her sister emptied the house on Djungelvrål. And since the hospital visit, Eloise has firmly distanced herself from licorice.
Life is a matter of dosage when it comes to water, alcohol and Jungle Roar, concludes senior physician Mikael Sandström.
Facts about licorice
The first documentation about licorice is 3,500 years old
Licorice comes from the licorice root Glycyrrhiza glabra
The word licorice comes from the Greek and and means “sweet root”
The licorice plant is harvested when it is 2-3 years old and up to 100 cm high
In the past, licorice root was used as a medicine and could still be bought at pharmacies into the 70s.
Licorice root is still used today in cough suppressants
The main ingredients in soft licorice are licorice powder, flour, sugar, syrup and rapeseed oil.
Salmiak is added to salt licorice
Licorice candies are mainly consumed in Holland, the Nordic countries, Germany and England.
Source: Lakrits.se
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