Licorice root has a long history in traditional digestive remedies, but standard licorice extract carries a compound — glycyrrhizin — that can cause real problems with blood pressure and electrolyte balance if consumed regularly. DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, is the modern answer to that problem: licorice root processed to remove most of the glycyrrhizin while concentrating the flavonoid compounds studied for gut lining support.
Table of Contents
- What DGL Actually Is
- Why Licorice Is Deglycyrrhizinated in the First Place
- How DGL Is Thought to Support the Gut Lining
- What the Clinical Research Shows
- DGL and H. Pylori
- Why Format and Standardization Matter
- Who Should Be Cautious With DGL
- Setting Realistic Expectations
- Our Pick
- Frequently Asked Questions
What DGL Actually Is
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains dozens of active compounds, but two categories matter most for digestive health: glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin responsible for licorice's classic sweetness and its best-documented side effects, and a group of flavonoids responsible for most of the gut-supportive activity researchers have focused on. DGL is licorice extract that has been processed specifically to strip out the majority of the glycyrrhizin while retaining and often standardizing those flavonoid compounds.
Modern DGL extracts, such as GutGard®, are typically standardized to a specific flavonoid marker — commonly glabridin — while capping glycyrrhizin content at a low, defined percentage rather than eliminating it to zero.
Why Licorice Is Deglycyrrhizinated in the First Place
Glycyrrhizin's chemical structure allows it to interfere with an enzyme that normally protects certain receptors in the kidney. Left unchecked, this amplifies the effect of cortisol at the kidney in a way that mimics aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium. The practical result of regular, meaningful glycyrrhizin intake can be sodium and water retention, potassium loss, and elevated blood pressure in susceptible people.
Removing most of the glycyrrhizin allows the flavonoid-driven digestive benefits of licorice to be used more routinely, without carrying the same cardiovascular and electrolyte risk profile as standard licorice extract or licorice candy.
How DGL Is Thought to Support the Gut Lining
Animal research on DGL points to several mechanisms working together rather than a single pathway. Studies have found that DGL can increase prostaglandin synthesis, improve blood supply to already-damaged mucosal tissue, increase the number of mucus-producing cells lining the stomach, boost the volume of mucus those cells produce, and extend the natural lifespan of stomach lining cells. Older pharmacological research examining DGL's effect on rat stomach epithelium reported evidence consistent with this kind of mucosal renewal process.
Together, these mechanisms describe a mucosal support role — DGL isn't neutralizing stomach acid directly the way an antacid or proton pump inhibitor does. Instead, it's supporting the tissue and mucus barrier that has to withstand that acid in the first place.
What the Clinical Research Shows
Human trials on standardized DGL extract have focused mainly on functional dyspepsia and reflux-related symptoms. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of GutGard® reported meaningful improvement in symptom severity and quality of life after 30 days of treatment in people with functional dyspepsia, a condition that overlaps significantly with everyday indigestion complaints.
A more recent Phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated GutGard® in adults with reflux-related symptoms, dosed twice daily after meals over eight weeks. The trial reported significantly better and faster resolution of reflux symptoms compared to placebo, with improvement in heartburn and regurgitation becoming noticeable within the first two weeks, though the same trial did not find a significant effect on several secondary symptoms such as bloating or belching.
Older placebo-controlled research on DGL and gastric ulcers, dating back to a 1969 trial published in the journal Gut, also reported outcomes favoring DGL over placebo, though modern standardized extracts weren't part of that earlier research and DGL is not considered a standalone treatment for active ulcer disease today.
DGL and H. Pylori
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial infection linked to a large share of gastric mucosal irritation worldwide. Because DGL's flavonoids have shown antimicrobial activity in lab and animal models, researchers have also studied whether DGL affects H. pylori specifically. In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, participants with confirmed H. pylori infection received either a placebo or 150 mg of GutGard® daily for 60 days. By day 60, more than half of the group receiving GutGard® tested negative for H. pylori, a notably higher rate than the placebo group.
This doesn't position DGL as a replacement for standard H. pylori eradication therapy, which remains a medical decision made with a physician, but it does help explain why DGL is studied specifically in the context of mucosal barrier and bacterial exposure rather than purely as a symptom reliever.
Why Format and Standardization Matter
Not all DGL products are formulated the same way. Standardization to a defined flavonoid marker, along with a capped glycyrrhizin percentage, is what separates a clinically studied extract from a generic licorice root powder. Chewable tablet format also matters here specifically: since part of DGL's proposed mechanism involves direct mucosal contact and stimulating saliva and mucus production, a chewed tablet allows the extract to reach the mouth, throat, and stomach lining in a way a quickly swallowed capsule does not.
Who Should Be Cautious With DGL
DGL is generally described as well tolerated in the clinical literature, but it isn't risk-free for everyone. Even deglycyrrhizinated extracts can contain a small residual amount of glycyrrhizin, so people taking blood pressure medications, diuretics, or those with kidney conditions should talk to their doctor before adding DGL to a daily routine. Anyone with persistent digestive symptoms — especially alongside unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, or persistent vomiting — should be evaluated by a physician rather than relying on a supplement alone.
Setting Realistic Expectations
DGL is not designed to work like an antacid, neutralizing acid within minutes of a meal. The clinical research on standardized extracts shows a pattern of gradual improvement, often becoming noticeable within one to two weeks of consistent use and building further over four to eight weeks. It's best understood as daily mucosal support taken ahead of the meals and habits — coffee, stress, NSAIDs, acidic foods — that tend to wear on the gut lining over time, rather than an on-demand fix for an isolated flare-up.
Our Pick
VitaProtect Daily is built around GutGard® standardized DGL licorice (75mg, standardized to 3.5% glabridin), paired with slippery elm bark and marshmallow root for additional mucosal support. It's formulated as a chewable tablet taken pre-meal specifically so the DGL and supporting botanicals can make direct contact with the mouth, throat, and stomach lining before food arrives. VitaProtect Daily is available for $38.99, and is also included in the Daily Gut Defense Bundle alongside VitaCleanse ImmuneCore, or in the Gut Perfection Trio for a complete daily gut routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DGL stand for?
DGL stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice — licorice root extract that has had most of the glycyrrhizin compound removed, leaving behind the flavonoids studied for gastric mucosal support.
Why is glycyrrhizin removed from licorice supplements?
Glycyrrhizin can cause sodium and water retention, potassium loss, and elevated blood pressure when consumed in meaningful amounts over time. Removing most of it allows the flavonoid compounds to be used for digestive support with a lower risk of those effects.
Is DGL the same as regular licorice candy or licorice root tea?
No. Regular licorice products typically retain glycyrrhizin, which is the compound linked to blood pressure and electrolyte concerns. DGL supplements are specifically processed to reduce glycyrrhizin content while standardizing the flavonoid content.
How does DGL support the gut lining?
Research suggests DGL's flavonoids can increase mucus production along the gastric lining, support blood flow to irritated tissue, and extend the lifespan of stomach lining cells, which together support the mucosal barrier.
Is DGL safe to take daily?
Standardized DGL extracts have been studied in trials lasting up to eight weeks with a favorable safety profile. As with any supplement, people on blood pressure medication, diuretics, or with kidney conditions should confirm suitability with their doctor first.
When should I take DGL for the best effect?
DGL chewables are generally taken before meals, since chewing stimulates saliva flow and gives the flavonoids direct contact with the mouth, throat, and stomach lining ahead of digestion.
Does DGL work as fast as antacids or acid-blocking medication?
No. DGL is not designed to neutralize acid on contact the way an antacid does. Clinical research on DGL-related extracts has shown symptom improvement building over one to two weeks of consistent use rather than immediate relief.
About the Author
Daniel Gigante is the founder of Janna Health & Wellness, a veteran-founded, family-owned supplement company based in New Jersey focused on gut health and digestive wellness. Daniel writes about the formulation science behind Janna's products, drawing on peer-reviewed research to help readers understand what's actually in their supplements and why.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
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