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.
Typical use: 380-760 mg chewed before meals, 3x/day — OTC.
What this is
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
Dose & route
380-760 mg chewed before meals, 3x/day
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3311295/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23439798/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7571078/
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Common questions
- Does DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) work?
- 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.
- Is DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) safe?
- DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)?
- 380-760 mg chewed before meals, 3x/day
- 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.