Rankings / Essentials — Supplements
DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)
Essentials · Mucosal protectant
Tier C+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) as C+ (5.5/10) based on weak evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Chewable form important — the contact time with oral and upper GI mucosa may be relevant.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 380-760 mg chewed before meals, 3x/day — OTC; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Chewable form important — the contact time with oral and upper GI mucosa may be relevant. Older European clinical tradition with relatively thin modern data. Consumer confusion common between DGL (safe) and whole licorice root (hyperaldosteronism risk at chronic use).
Mechanism
Licorice root extract with glycyrrhizin removed (glycyrrhizin causes mineralocorticoid effects — hypokalemia, hypertension); remaining flavonoids support gastric mucosa; promotes mucus and bicarbonate secretion
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
380-760 mg chewed before meals, 3x/day
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
A link means the source informed this entry; it does not mean every claim on the page comes from that source. If a citation looks wrong or you want a claim re-checked, send a correction.
Common questions
- What does the evidence show about DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) as Weak and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.5/10). Chewable form important — the contact time with oral and upper GI mucosa may be relevant.
- What safety findings are reported for DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)?
- DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) has a low risk profile in the database. Low (with glycyrrhizin removed; whole-licorice products retain mineralocorticoid risk at chronic high doses) Legal status: OTC.
- What doses or routes are reported for DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)?
- 380-760 mg chewed before meals, 3x/day This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) work?
- Licorice root extract with glycyrrhizin removed (glycyrrhizin causes mineralocorticoid effects — hypokalemia, hypertension); remaining flavonoids support gastric mucosa; promotes mucus and bicarbonate secretion
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.