Some 'post-production' caused by licorice

A recent study has shown that children whose mothers eat large amounts of licorice during pregnancy are less intelligent than normal children. The study was conducted in Finland, where licorice is very popular.

Scientists at the University of Helsinki - Finland believe that eating lots of licorice can harm the placenta and allow stress hormones to pass from the mother to the fetus. High levels of this hormone can affect the development of the brain while the child is still in the womb and may cause a child with behavioral disorders after birth.

Women are considered to eat too much licorice if they eat more than 500 milligrams of licorice wire - equivalent to 100 grams of licorice juice - during pregnancy.

The researchers conducted memory tests, vocabulary of 321 8-year-old children. Mothers of these children are also required to complete a survey of their child's behavior. According to statistics, 64 mothers ate a large amount of licorice during pregnancy, 46 were moderate and 211 were low.

Some types of candies contain ingredients that are licorice.

After the study, the results showed that the children, whose mothers ate a large amount of licorice during pregnancy, were more disruptive and arguable. In research, scientists do not take into account the maternal intelligence, environmental factors as well as other foods.

" Pregnant mothers should not eat too much licorice ," said Professor Katri Raikkonen, of the University of Helsinki - Finland.

An earlier study has shown that eating too much licorice can increase the risk of premature birth.

Like pure licorice, the Finns often use acrid licorice. They are used as flavorings for vodka, ice cream, cola drinks and even sausages.

Licorice is not listed on the list of foods that the British Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant mothers not use. However, the agency also advised pregnant women to consider use because licorice contains a lot of sugar.