Calories
in Licorice
|
Calorie
Table For Licorice
|
| Licorice |
Calories |
| Licorice,
regular (1oz) Black Licorice Bites (18 pces, 40g) Black Licorice Drops (3 pces, 15g) Licorice Stick (1 stick, 0.5oz) UK Liquorice Allsorts (1 bag, 56g) UK Pontefract Cakes (1 bag, 56g) Red Licorice Twists (1oz)** Red Licorice Ropes (1oz)** Hershey's Twizzlers, cherry (1oz) Hershey's Twizzlers, s/berry (2.5oz pkg) |
95 |
| ** Contains no licorice
extract. |
Sources include: USDA Nutrient Database, Food Shopping Counter (Natow and Heslin) 2006, The Fat Book (Bellerson) 2004.
Licorice is extracted from the underground roots of a plant called Glycyrrhiza glabra, grown widely in southern Europe. The licorice roots are crushed, boiled, then evaporated to leave a concentrate from which licorice candies are made. Licorice candy typically comprises a paste (usually a mixture of licorice concentrate, sugar, molasses, corn syrup and flour) cut or extruded into different shapes. A variety of flavors (eg. anise) may be added. The brand Licorice Allsorts includes layers of licorice paste interspersed with layers of other flavored pastes. The UK licorice candy known as Pontefract Cakes contains many different ingredients including: treacle, glucose syrup, sugar, modified starch, caramelised syrup, wheatflour, gelling agent, liquorice extract, salt, flavouring, vegetable oil, beeswax, carnauba wax and water. The most common type of genuine licorice candy in the US is called 'black licorice'.
In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice has long been valued as a soothing agent for various internal pains, and to relieve ulcers, constipation and vomiting. Licorice roots can be chewed raw, and are very good for teeth. Western medical research into licorice has confirmed several of its supposed benefits. For example, licorice extract has been incorporated into certain ulcer drugs. Other studies have revealed licorice to have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties, including the destruction of the SARS virus.
Note: (1) The sweetness in licorice is due to the presence of glycyrrhizin, a compound 50 times sweeter than sugar. (2) Candies known as "red licorice" do not contain any material from the licorice plant. Instead they are typically manufactured using fruit favorings (eg. strawberry or cherry).
When trying to reduce weight,
most dietitians recommend a realistic approach to energy intake. Weight
loss plans (eg. fad diets) which include fewer than 1,000 calories should
not be followed for longer than 7 days, without medical supervision. A
sudden and dramatic drop in energy intake can cause the body to conserve
calories, resulting in a slower metabolic rate and slower weight loss.
Furthermore, severe calorie-restricted diets typically contain insufficient
nutrition. Don't forget to exercise! One hour of fast walking burns
about 400 calories. Raising energy expenditure is an excellent way of
creating the calorie-deficit needed to lose body fat.