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Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#281

Post by anigbrowl »

nicoburns wrote: post #158
_Microft wrote: post #138

There was a case when a woman in Germany also ate lots of liquorice on a daily basis and developed health problems. The case went to court because she thought that she should have been warned by the producer. It was dismissed with a reason like "common sense dictates that this was a bad idea" (think: "lol, wut? u dumb").

> It was dismissed with a reason like "common sense dictates that this was a bad idea" (think: "lol, wut? u dumb"). And this is why Europe is less litigious than the US (that and reasonable healthcare costs): the courts won't stand for frivolous cases.

I don't see what's frivolous about it. I hate liquorice but had no idea it was dangerous to consume in quantity,a nd in general I'm quite health/diet conscious.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#282

Post by bkanber »

guenthert wrote: post #181
WorldMaker wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The origin of salty licorice was as a throat lozenge (same reason a singer might gargle salt water ever so often to keep their throat healthy) in cold/freezing fishing waters. (The salt was the important bit, the licorice was just the flavor the fisherman really like to make it sweeter and easier to chew.) It wasn't invented to be an appetite suppressor, though for a lot of people it certainly is. (Not many people li…

> (Not many people like salty licorice, given a choice.) That's about as sensible as saying "Not many people like salty popcorn".

The "salt" in salty licorice isn't table salt like you'd use on popcorn, FYI. It's ammonium chloride. Literally tastes like ammonia. I'm sure it's an acquired taste (I had my first experience with it early this year), but it's frankly awful to my palate.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#283

Post by lokedhs »

Armisael16 wrote: post #262
Smithalicious wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Not many people like salty licorice, given a choice Whenever I read something weird like this I always need to remind myself to mentally add the quantifier "in America". Salty licorice is very popular in a number of European countries including mine (NL).

Are you sure it's "in America" and not "outside Europe"?

I live in Singapore, and whenever I bring some salty liquorice back from Sweden, my Indian friends are the ones who really enjoy it. I'm guessing that it's because it is a bit similar to Mukhwas.

So it's definitely not just Europe.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#284

Post by garmaine »

fiblye wrote: post #207
wrp wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Growing up in the USA, my impression was that licorice is one of the most popular candy flavors among children. As an adult, I was surprised to discover that every Korean and Japanese I offered licorice to reacted violently to the taste...wouldn't even try to be polite about it. I doubt it's genetic, so I've often wondered what about their diet predisposes them to have such a negative taste sensation.

>Growing up in the USA, my impression was that licorice is one of the most popular candy flavors among children. ...I don't know a single American under the age of 70 who will admit to liking licorice. Everyone I've ever known thinks it's vile. It was popular, like, a century ago. Black licorice now is pretty uncommon.

I’m an American under 40 who likes licorice.

Won’t touch it again after reading this thread though.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#286

Post by icedistilled »

Smithalicious wrote: post #187
WorldMaker wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The origin of salty licorice was as a throat lozenge (same reason a singer might gargle salt water ever so often to keep their throat healthy) in cold/freezing fishing waters. (The salt was the important bit, the licorice was just the flavor the fisherman really like to make it sweeter and easier to chew.) It wasn't invented to be an appetite suppressor, though for a lot of people it certainly is. (Not many people li…

> Not many people like salty licorice, given a choice Whenever I read something weird like this I always need to remind myself to mentally add the quantifier "in America". Salty licorice is very popular in a number of European countries including mine (NL).

Yeah I think it's just an acquired taste that American's don't acquire for lack of exposure.

I'm American but was so intrigued after finding it so unpalatable the first time I encountered the salmiak lakrids despite people clearly liking them. I was keen on finding out if it was just a matter of getting used to it.

Now I actually enjoy it and like it. I just still can't handle letting the stronger ones dissolve all the way. It's also very fun to give other Americans to try (I warn them) and see their reaction.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#287

Post by icedistilled »

verst wrote: post #153
icedistilled wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah Then purpose of the salty licorice with ammonium chloride must be to prevent people from consuming too much in one sitting. Usually I can only make it 2/3rd through a single piece before the ammonia flavor is too over powering.

I loved eating that stuff as a kid growing up in Germany. Still do, but can't easily find it in Seattle. It's a very acquired flavor... just like I absolutely cannot get used to the taste of IPAs.

At least in california, cost plus world market sells some, or did last I was in there.

I actually enjoy the stuff, I just can't finish a whole piece.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#288

Post by elliottkember »

Smithalicious wrote: post #187
WorldMaker wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The origin of salty licorice was as a throat lozenge (same reason a singer might gargle salt water ever so often to keep their throat healthy) in cold/freezing fishing waters. (The salt was the important bit, the licorice was just the flavor the fisherman really like to make it sweeter and easier to chew.) It wasn't invented to be an appetite suppressor, though for a lot of people it certainly is. (Not many people li…

> Not many people like salty licorice, given a choice Whenever I read something weird like this I always need to remind myself to mentally add the quantifier "in America". Salty licorice is very popular in a number of European countries including mine (NL).

There’s a great type of Swedish salty liquorice called “djungelvrål”, or “jungle roar”. It has a screaming monkey on the packet. It’s a bit like licking a battery, and once I got used to it I found it delicious. I recommend it. The first bite is rough.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#289

Post by kergonath »

andyroid wrote: post #171
neurostimulant wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a person from a tropical country, I was puzzled with all those salty "candy" sold in the west. I ate one and thought who the hell would eat this horrible salty candy on purpose? So those are actually good for the throat on freezing climate?

From a Nordic country myself and have never experienced that effect, nor heard of anyone who would eat it for that. We just like it for the taste. Getting a little more cautious from reading all the comments here though!

Don’t eat too much of the stuff in one go and you’ll be fine.

Re: Man dies from eating more than a bag of liquorice a day

#290

Post by ghufran_syed »

hexbinencoded wrote: post #277
eloisius wrote: post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That reminds me of the time I learned that dates are diuretic while in Morocco. They were so delicious I would eat a bag per day. Even while swearing I must have dysentery.

I seriously doubt it. "Diuretic" means peeing, not pooping. Watermelon is a diuretic. Dates are high in fiber, potassium, sugar, and might cause a bowel obstruction.

Not sure about how they would cause a bowel obstruction. More likely to cause [osmotic diarrhea](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diarrhea#Osmotic), which would be consistent with the original comment. But you’re right, they probably meant “laxative”, not “diuretic”
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