Licorice AND WEIGHT LOSS ( GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA AND WEIGHT LOSS)
Benefits: Reduces Obesity, Enhances Fat Oxidation
Background: Various types of Licorice have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Glycyrrhiza uralensis was associated with longevity, while G. glabra and G. inflata were used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including ulcers, skin problems, arthritis, peptic ulcers, asthma, and malaria. Modern research has shown that Licorice has anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Consequently, today it is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal problems, skin inflammation, coughs and bronchitis.
Description: A perennial bush growing up to 3 feet in height with pinnate leaves, stoloniferous roots, and pink flowers.
Cultivation: Licorice does best in a moisture retaining soil in a sunny location. It may be started by sowing seed in the spring, by root division in the autumn, or by stolon cuttings in the spring. (Note: the seed should be soaked overnight to speed germination.) Hardy in Zones 7-9.
Parts Used: Roots.
Harvest: The roots may be lifted in the autumn after 3 years.
Research: Over the past 15 years, a series of clinical studies have documented the ability of Licorice extracts to reduce weight gain, diminish the size and weight of fat cells, and increase fat oxidation. The first of these studies in 2003 (1) demonstrated that a licorice ethanolic extract reduced the weight of obese mice. In 2004, a second study (2) demonstrated that licorice flavonoid oil reduced body weight gain in diabetic mice. A third, ground breaking study using humans occurred in 2006 (3), and showed that Licorice flavonoid oil reduced both fat mass and weight in obese human subjects. In 2007, a fourth study (4) reported that licorice flavonoids prevented weight gain in mice on a high fat diet. A 2008 study (5) again found that licorice flavonoid oil can significantly decrease the weight of fat tissue, this time in obese rats. A 2013 study (6) found that Licorice extracts rich in glabridin (an isoflavin found in licorice) significantly reduced weight gain in obese mice by reducing the size and weight of their white fat cells. Finally, a 2015 study (7) demonstrated that human subjects who ingested Licorice flavonoid oil increased their rate of fat oxidation during light exercise.
(1) “A licorice ethanolic extract with peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-gamma ligand-binding activity affects diabetes in KK-Ay mice, abdominal obesity in diet –induced obese C57BL mice and hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.” Mae T. et al, J Nutr. 2003 Nov; 133(11):3369-77.
(2) “Licorice flavonoids suppress abdominal fat accumulation and increase in blood glucose level in obese diabetic KK-A(y) mice.” Nakagawa K. et al, Biol Pharm. Bull. 2004 Nov;27(11):1775-8.
(3) “Licorice Flavonoid Oil Effects Body Weight Loss by Reduction of Body Fat Mass in Overweight Subjects.” Tominaga, Y. et al, Journal of Health Science, 52(6) 672-683.
(4) “Suppression by licorice flavonoids of abdominal fat accumulation and body weight gain in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6L mice.” Aoki F., et al, Biosci Biotechnol. Biochem, 2007 Jan; 71(1):206-14.
(5) “Investigation of the anti-obesity action of licorice flavonoid oil in diet induced obese rats.” Kamisoyama H., et al. Biosci Biotechnol. Biochem. 2008 Dec;72(12):3225-31.
(6) “Anti-obesity effects of glabridin-rich supercritical carbon dioxide extract of licorice in high fat fed obese mice.” Ahn, J., et al., Food Chem. Toxicol: 2013 Jan;51:439-45.
(7) “Enhancement of Fat Oxidation by Licorice Flavonoid Oil in Healthy Humans during Light Exercise.” Mori N., et al, J. Nutr Sci Vitaminol. (Tokyo) 2015;61(5):406-16.