Eat or Avoid
E958

Glycyrrhizin

Also known as: Licorice root extract, Glycyrrhizic acid, Glycyrrhizinic acid, Epigen, Glycyron

Flavor EnhancersSweeteners

Safety rating

Use Sparingly

Eat Away!Generally SafeUse SparinglyAvoid

Purpose and Function

Glycyrrhizin (E958) is used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in the food industry. It is a natural sweetener that is approximately 50 times sweeter than sucrose. It is used in a wide range of products, including beverages, desserts, and confectionery.

Commonly found in

  • Beverages
  • Desserts
  • Confectionery

Key functions

  • Sweetens (~50x sweeter than sucrose)
  • Enhances flavor

Potential Risks and Side Effects

  1. 01Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used in regulated amounts
  2. 02Excessive consumption may cause hypertension, hypokalemia, and other health issues due to its mineralocorticoid effects

References

    Related Additives