Can you eat licorice while pregnant?
In moderationOccasional licorice candy is fine, but keep black licorice to small, infrequent amounts and avoid licorice root products entirely: the NHS says licorice root is safest to avoid in pregnancy.
Why
The active compound in true black licorice, glycyrrhizin, is the issue. The NHS draws the line clearly: ordinary licorice sweets are fine, but licorice root may be harmful to a baby's development and is safest to avoid. Finnish research linking heavy licorice consumption during pregnancy with developmental effects in children is what pushed cautious agencies to speak up, so the pragmatic reading is: a piece of candy now and then is fine, a daily black-licorice habit is not, and root extracts, teas and supplements are off the list.
By trimester
The research on heavy glycyrrhizin intake tracked exposure across pregnancy, so there is no trimester where a big daily habit is fine. An occasional sweet remains a non-event at any stage.
Safer alternatives
- Red licorice-style twists, which contain no real licorice
- Anise-flavored hard candies
- Fruit gummies
Sources
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/have-a-healthy-diet/
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Frequently asked questions
Why is black licorice a concern during pregnancy?
Its glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and, per Finnish studies of heavy consumers, was associated with effects on children's development. Occasional candy was not the problem in that research; large regular amounts were.
Is red licorice the same risk?
No. Red twists are fruit-flavored candy with no licorice root at all, so they carry none of the glycyrrhizin question. Check labels on gourmet versions, but mainstream red licorice is just candy.
What about licorice tea for digestion?
Skip it. Teas and supplements deliver concentrated licorice root, the exact form the NHS says to avoid during pregnancy. Ginger or peppermint tea are the pregnancy-friendly digestion standbys.
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