[Hypertension due to liquorice and liquorice tea consumption].

--Compared to other countries, liquorice consumption in the Netherlands is very high; on average it is 2 kg per person annually. Also liquorice tea is growing in popularity. Both products contain glycyrrhizin. The pathophysiological mechanism of the effect ofglycyrrhizin was described earlier. --In a literature study, the quantitative effect of liquorice consumption on blood pressure was evaluated. An Internet search on PubMed and Embase revealed 7 publications, all ofwhich short-term studies. --These studies showed that a daily consumption of glycyrrhetinic acid of 95 mg or more caused an increase in blood pressure. --A practical guideline for an acceptable daily intake of glycyrrhetinic acid seems to be 9.5 mg a day. This means no more than 10-30 g liquorice and no more than half a cup of liquorice tea a day. --On diagnosing hypertension, the effects of liquorice and liquorice tea consumption on blood pressure should be kept in mind.