Delicious sweet can improve gut health and potentially slow cancer growth

01 March 2024 , 10:35

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The sweet can really help several ailments (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images)

It's not often that we get good news about some of our favourite, most delicious foods, as sweets are usually slammed as being unhealthy.

But there's one sweet treat that could actually have a myriad of health benefits for us, including improved gut health - and some studies show that it could even incredibly slow cancer growth.

Liquorice can be eaten, drunk, and used in herbal remedies, and has many health benefits backed by scientific studies. For many Brits it conjures up nostalgia as it's a classic confectionary treat loved by older relatives, but the sweet has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Native to Western Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe, it's long been used for its bold flavour. While its health-boosting qualities are more prominent its root, as a sweet it can still pack a healthly punch, a win-win.

The Dutch and the Italians are often credited with pioneering the use of liquorice root to make sweets in the 17th century, and in England, the production of the strong sweets has been dated to the 18th century, with the town of Pontefract in Yorkshire becoming a famous centre for liquorice sweets production, reports Gloucestershire Live.

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Liquorice has many benefits (Getty Images)

There are many health benefits to liquorice, including anti-inflammatory properties that can help in the treatment of arthritis and skin conditions. Compounds in liquorice root, such as Licochalcone-A, have been studied for their ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Extract from the plant's root has been linked to slowing or preventing cell growth in skin, breast and prostate cancers.

Liquorice root is also commonly used to treat those suffering from digestive issues as it can help alleviate symptoms from acid reflux, stomach ulcers and heartburn. Adults with gastrointestinal issues were studied, and results found that daily use of liquorice root was surprisingly more effective at reducing symptoms over two years than commonly used anti-acids.

However, while the benefits are plentiful, people need to be careful that they don't consume too much liquorice. The British Heart Foundation says that too much glycyrrhizin, found in liquorice, can lead to problems such as raised blood pressure, fluid retention, muscle weakness and heart rhythm abnormalities. A total of 57g or more is considered a large amount, and it's recommended that if you want to consume a large quantities, you consult with your GP first to see whether it's appropriate.

Danielle Kate Wroe