Licorice, the root of the Glycyrrhiza species, is one of the most frequently botanicals in traditional medicines. It has been used in Europe, since Greek, Roman and Medieval times. Egyptians believed licorice root helped the soul pass safely into the afterlife and they therefore placed it inside tombs and caskets, including that of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who died in 1323 BC.
Preliminary data shows that licorice may reduce body fat mass.In preliminary study, 15 normal weight-weight subjects, who consumed 3.5 g/day of a commercial preparation of licorice containing glycyrrhetinic acid for 2 months, had reduced body fat mass of 1.2% in men and 2.8% in women (J. Endocrinol Invest. 2003;26:646-650).
Results showed that aldosterone and plasma renin activity were suppressed, body mass index did not alter, extracellular water increased while BFM (body fat mass) was significantly reduced. These findings suggest that licorice can reduce fat by inhibiting 11-beta HSD1 in fat cells.
II-beta hydroxylsteroid dehydrogenase enzyme is responsible for the conversion of cortisol to cortisone. When central obesity is present, 11-beta HSD type 1 is increased in adipose tissue and increased cortisol in adipose tissue may be involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome.
Licorice reducing body fat mass
