Licorice May Help Control Blood Glucose

Licorice - pronounced 'Likes' - is a tropical plant of the sugarcane plant family, the same as cranberries and black currants. Licorice is commonly known as 'chocolate licorice'. The sweet root (tartaric acid) of the glycyrrhizae species produces a sap called 'licorice' when ripe. When it's ripe, the compound becomes known as glycyrrhizin and this in turn has a number of beneficial properties. The most important of these is its ability to induce the release of insulin, which serves to regulate blood glucose levels in a human body.

The therapeutic qualities of licorice root are apparent throughout history. Ancient societies from Asia to Africa used licorice to treat a variety of medical complaints. For example, the ancient Chinese used licorice to treat high blood pressure, alleviate coughs and sore throats, treat indigestion, treat skin conditions, treat kidney disorders, treat menstrual disorders and even treat diabetes. In addition, licorice root was used to alleviate depression and anxiety, to stimulate appetite, treat fatigue and boost energy. Modern research has shown that licorice root has powerful anti-viral, anti-septic and anti-fungal properties.

Licorice, black licorice in particular, has long been used by naturopathic physicians around the world to support cardiovascular health. A study published by British physiotherapist Paul Barr was the first to report that drinking black licorice inositide (a compound that inhibits insulin action in muscle cells) could enhance the activity of both myocardial and peripheral smooth muscle. It also appears to improve the function of a type of protein called myoglobin, which aids the movement of oxygen and nutrients through the myocardium and myotubes. Further research has demonstrated that licorice extract increases blood glucose uptake, protects against type 2 diabetes and improves heart rhythm, as well as reducing the risk of stroke in HIV infected individuals.

Licorice, black as well as green, is rich in glycyrrhizin (one of the compounds that contribute to licorice's sweetness) and saponin. Glycyrrhizin is thought to help prevent atherosclerosis, which can cause hardening of the arteries. Glycyrrhizin may also help reduce cholesterol and increase HDL (good cholesterol), while reducing LDL (bad cholesterol). While many commercial health care providers often recommend that patients consume licorice with a meal, drinking licorice tea may also be beneficial to your health. Licorice tea has a milder bitter taste than traditional licorice, which allows for more savory, cooling, or refreshing flavor. If you drink licorice tea and do not drink any other juice or tea, you will likely experience more subtle sweetening in the drink, without adding extra calories to your diet.

In one study found in Diabetes, licorice may reduce body fat and improve insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic women. The study found that the insulin sensitivity was increased at a lower concentration of glycyrrhetinic acid when licorice extracts were combined with fructose. This combination led to an improved insulin tolerance. Another study in AIDS found that licorice may reduce body fat and improve survival in HIV infected men. The combination of glycyrrhetinic acid and l-glutathione was highly effective in this study.

Licorice has been linked to improving insulin sensitivity in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. It was also shown to reduce body fat and improve survival in HIV infected men. Whether the benefits are due to glycyrrhizin or sweet root, it remains to be seen. Other studies are necessary to confirm these claims. Licorice may help control blood glucose, but more research is needed to understand whether it helps in the treatment of liver disease or liver cancer.

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