Overview
- University of Bristol lecturer Dan Baumgardt outlined the advice in a Conversation commentary republished on Oct. 27 by outlets including The Independent and the New York Post.
- He explains that sugar feeds oral bacteria that erode enamel and is linked to weight gain, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, and broader cardiometabolic risks.
- Black licorice contains glycyrrhizin that can elevate blood pressure and lower potassium at high intake, with advisory limits cited at under 100 mg per day for adults, roughly 50 g of traditional licorice.
- Studies cited report sherbets and “super sour” sweets with pH levels as low as about 2.3 that can strip tooth enamel, with media reports noting mouth ulcers from very acidic products.
- The commentary references an extreme case of a man hospitalized after eating 3 kg of jelly cola candies in three days, illustrating the dangers of overconsumption.