can I eat liquorice?
An occasional piece of liquorice is fine, but regular or large amounts of black liquorice are best avoided in pregnancy. Its active compound, glycyrrhizin, has been linked in Finnish studies to effects on children's development, and it can raise blood pressure.
why it matters
Glycyrrhizin appears to weaken the placenta's barrier to stress hormones (cortisol), and studies following children of mothers who ate large amounts (roughly 250g+ of liquorice a week) found differences in cognitive development. It also raises blood pressure — unhelpful when pre-eclampsia is a watch-item.
how to have it safely
Keep it occasional and small — a sweet now and then, not a weekly bag. Red 'liquorice' (strawberry laces and the like) contains no actual liquorice root and is just an ordinary sweet.
worth knowing
- Finland's health authority formally advises avoiding liquorice in pregnancy — the strongest national stance.
- Glycyrrhizin also appears in liquorice tea, some herbal blends and natural remedies — check labels.
- Red liquorice-style sweets contain no glycyrrhizin — the concern is genuine black liquorice and liquorice root.
- Liquorice can raise blood pressure at high intakes — mention regular consumption to your midwife if you have hypertension.
common questions
How much liquorice is too much during pregnancy?
The Finnish studies flagged high, sustained intakes — around 250g of liquorice sweets a week or more. An occasional piece is a different order of magnitude, but given the direction of the evidence, keeping it rare is the comfortable choice.
Is liquorice tea safe while pregnant?
Best limited or skipped — liquorice root tea can deliver a surprising dose of glycyrrhizin, and it's easy to drink daily without noticing. Peppermint, ginger or rooibos are uncomplicated swaps.
also in other foods
Aligned with guidance from the NHS, FDA and WHO. This is general information, not personal medical advice — check with your midwife or doctor about your own situation. How we write.