Is Licorice Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
With caution. Black licorice and products containing real licorice extract should be limited or avoided during pregnancy due to glycyrrhizin, which has been linked to developmental concerns. Red licorice candy (like Twizzlers) is generally safe as it typically contains no actual licorice.
The concern with licorice during pregnancy centers on glycyrrhizin, a compound found in real licorice root. Studies have associated heavy consumption of licorice during pregnancy with lower IQ scores, attention problems, and earlier puberty in children. Glycyrrhizin can also raise blood pressure and lower potassium levels, which poses additional risks during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Red licorice candy that contains no licorice extract (check ingredients for 'licorice extract' or 'licorice root')
- • Strawberry, cherry, or fruit flavored licorice style candies without real licorice
- • DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) supplements if recommended by your doctor for heartburn
- • Products labeled 'licorice flavored' that use anise or other flavorings instead
- • Limit any real licorice to occasional small amounts rather than regular consumption
✗ What to Avoid
- • Black licorice candy containing licorice extract or licorice root
- • Licorice root tea or herbal tea blends containing licorice
- • Regular consumption of any product with glycyrrhizin
- • Licorice supplements or licorice root extracts
- • European or Australian style black licorice (typically contains real licorice extract)
Most Common Ingredients in Licorice Products
We analyzed 36 licorice products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Licorice
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 36 licorice products we analyzed.
licorice extract
CAUTION
Licorice extract is an herb used in teas and traditional remedies. Is associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy.
Found in 18 of 36 products (50%)
liquorice extract
CAUTION
Liquorice extract is an herb used in teas and traditional remedies. Is associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy.
Found in 5 of 36 products (14%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 3 of 36 products (8%)
artificial color
CAUTION
Artificial color is synthetic dyes added to foods and beverages. May affect neurobehavioral development in offspring based on animal studies.
Found in 2 of 36 products (6%)
blue 1
CAUTION
Blue 1 is a synthetic blue food coloring. Has limited human pregnancy data with possible neurobehavioral effects in animal studies.
Found in 2 of 36 products (6%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 2 of 36 products (6%)
certified organic liquorice extract
CAUTION
Certified organic liquorice extract is an herb used in teas and traditional remedies. Is associated with lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy.
Found in 1 of 36 products (3%)
hydrogenated coconut oil
CAUTION
Hydrogenated coconut oil is processed oils containing artificial trans fats. Is associated with preeclampsia and may interfere with fetal brain development.
Found in 1 of 36 products (3%)
Licorice Products We've Analyzed
We graded 36 licorice products for pregnancy safety. 1 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Licorice Products
We found 1 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Blueberry Pomegranate Licorice | Wiley Wallaby |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant ladies eat licorice?
It depends on the type. Red licorice candy like Twizzlers is generally safe because it typically contains no real licorice just wheat flour, corn syrup, and artificial flavoring. However, black licorice containing actual licorice extract should be limited or avoided. The compound glycyrrhizin in real licorice has been linked to developmental concerns including lower IQ and attention problems in children when consumed heavily during pregnancy. If you're craving licorice, opt for red varieties and check the ingredients list.
What are the risks of licorice during pregnancy?
The primary concern is glycyrrhizin, found in real licorice root. Research has associated heavy licorice consumption during pregnancy with cognitive effects in children, including lower IQ scores and increased risk of attention problems. Glycyrrhizin can also cause blood pressure spikes and potassium drops in the mother, potentially leading to heart rhythm issues. Some studies have also linked high consumption to shorter pregnancies. These risks are dose dependent, meaning occasional small amounts pose less concern than regular consumption.
Is Twizzlers ok to eat while pregnant?
Yes, Twizzlers and similar red licorice candies are generally safe during pregnancy. Despite the name, red Twizzlers contain no actual licorice root or glycyrrhizin they're made primarily from wheat flour, corn syrup, and artificial strawberry flavoring. The pregnancy concerns around licorice specifically relate to black licorice containing real licorice extract. That said, like all candy, Twizzlers should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet due to their sugar content.
Is licorice skincare safe during pregnancy?
Topical licorice root extract in skincare has not been well studied during pregnancy. While the absorption through skin is much lower than oral consumption, many experts recommend pregnant women avoid topical licorice products as a precaution since the effects haven't been established. If you're using skincare containing licorice root extract for hyperpigmentation or other concerns, consider switching to pregnancy safe alternatives like vitamin C or niacinamide until after delivery.
How much licorice is safe during pregnancy?
There's no established safe threshold, which is why many health organizations recommend limiting or avoiding black licorice entirely during pregnancy. Finnish health authorities advise pregnant women to avoid licorice altogether, while the FDA has issued warnings about glycyrrhizin's effects on potassium levels. If you do consume black licorice occasionally, keeping it to very small amounts infrequently is the most cautious approach. For regular candy cravings, switching to red licorice or other treats eliminates the concern entirely.
What's the difference between black and red licorice for pregnancy?
The key difference is the ingredients. Black licorice typically contains real licorice root extract with glycyrrhizin, the compound linked to pregnancy concerns. Red licorice (like Twizzlers or Red Vines) usually contains no actual licorice it's flavored with strawberry or cherry and is essentially a different candy that just shares the twisted rope shape. Always check the ingredients list: if you see 'licorice extract,' 'licorice root,' or 'glycyrrhiza' listed, that product contains real licorice and should be limited during pregnancy.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
References
- https://limerickinc.com/blogs/more resources/why is licorice root bad for pregnancy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28158597/
- https://restorativemedicine.org/library/monographs/licorice-2/
- https://www.rileychildrens.org/connections/new study suggests women should avoid eating licorice during pregnancy
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/licorice root
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6320632/
- https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy information/blogs and stories/im pregnant/pregnancy news and blogs/pregnant women advised avoid herbal remedy liquorice root
- https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/349/does the consumption of liquorice by pregnant women impair the mental and physical development of children.pdf
- https://www.birthdefectsresearch.org/primer/herb use.asp
- https://www.thebump.com/news/avoid licorice during pregnancy
- https://www.livescience.com/57771-pregnant women should avoid licorice.html
- https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/185/5/317/2967089
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384490/
- https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/files/webfm uploads/documents/outreach/im/tool common complaints in pregnancy.pdf
- https://www.acog.org/womens health/faqs/nutrition during pregnancy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23299757/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/pregnant/comments/1gqpk16/any_experiences_with_deglycyrrhizinated_licorice/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive health/dgl for acid reflux
- https://vkm.no/english/riskassessments/allpublications/glycyrrhizeacidinliquoricepossiblehealtheffectsforfetusesandchildren.4.53b03efd15ecf6f80a3d305d.html
- https://iawpwellnesscoach.com/red-40/
