Odd discovery

I had a friend who ate a lot of beetroot one day, went to the loo and rushed out in panic thinking that her kidneys were packing up

Thanks. Unfortunately I really don't like the taste of beetroot!

I did a trial sometime ago where we had to drink beetroot juice I believe it is good for reducing blood pressure. I had a Tai Chi teacher once who assured me that rubbing the inside of your wrists would reduce it as well, never did find out if it is true.

Also teetime check the NHS website -luckily Dr Google did!

Thanks Elegran. Of course there's lots of sugar in Licorice Allsorts but my favourite ones were the pure licorice ones . For some people eg me, even a small amount can make a difference. It certainly did in my case.
Off to each chocolate but only for its effect on serotonin levels!

There's a lot of sugar in Allsorts, but there is licquorice extract too.

Ingredients of Bassetts Licquorice Allsorts

Sugar, Molasses, Glucose Syrup (contains Sulphites), Wheat Flour, Desiccated Coconut, Starch, Gelatine, Colours (Plain Caramel, Beetroot Red, Curcumin, Vegetable Carbon, Paprika Extract, Anthocyanins, Lutein), Fat-Reduced Cocoa, Liquorice Extract, Flavourings, Vegetable Oils (Coconut, Palm Kernel, Sunflower in varying proportions), Caramel Sugar Syrup, Glazing Agent (Carnauba Wax), Concentrated Blackcurrant Juice, Concentrated Vegetable Extract (Spirulina)

Typical Values . . . . Per 100g . . . .Reference Intakes

Energy . . . . . . . . 1605 kJ . . . . .8400kJ
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380 kcal. . . . 2000 kcal
Fat . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.2 g . . . . . .70 g
of which Saturates . . . .3.5 g . . . . . . 20 g
Carbohydrate . . . . . .79 g . . . . . . 260 g
of which Sugars . . . . 62 g . . . . . . 90 g
Protein . . . . . . . . . . .5.6 g . . . . . .50 g
Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.1 g . . . . . .6 g
*Reference intake of an average adult (8400 kJ/2000 kcal)

Yes but liquorice all sorts are sugar! not liquorice root! If this is the case why do doctors and nurses of which I am one who monitor and manage these things do not mention it neither is it included in any NICE guidance or clinical management programmes. Its weight management that affects BP not food content other than high salt and high fat.

Ah I see Dr.Google!!

Liquorice can increase your blood pressure, it is a fact. And food and drink do make a difference. If you do not have high blood pressure then it doesn't make a difference, it makes a difference when you have hbp and are trying to control it. In other words it's like any condition, if you have natural low blood pressure, what you eat and drink doesn't matter, but if you have a condition or are borderline you have to do your best to control it.

Eat lots of chocolate instead, Jane

Looks as though Jane10 is right. If you eat a lot of liquorice "the glycerrhizin turns off the SDR enzyme that ordinarily keep cortisol from acting on the kidney. Since cortisol acts just like aldosterone, binding to aldosterone receptors on the kidney, and cortisol levels are a lot higher than aldosterone, normally, this causes the kidney to "think" that aldosterone is sky high. Cortisol in the guise of aldosterone causes potassium loss, sodium retention, and consequent water retention with hypertension."

It does have to be a lot, though, a reasonable amount now and then won't send your BP sky-high.

drholly.typepad.com/question_and_answer_forum/2007/08/will-licorice-r.html
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8070427

and others.

Is it the April 1st? Food and drink make no appreciable difference to BP unless of course you eat lots of anything and become overweight. Liquorice allsorts are mainly sugar with very little liquorice and that's only flavouring.

Alcohol makes no difference to BP readings. Fact.

My proof? I'm on day 53/100 no alcohol and my BP ( which is normal anyway) has stayed exactly the same Q,E.D.

that last bit was just to annoy jingl

Interesting!Am doing the bp thing for a week at home, keeping a log as like most people the white coat syndrome always gives false readings. Fortunately, do not eat licorice( does a gallon of chilled Pimms do the same?)

Well who'd have thought that? The things you learn on GN