Can Drinking Absinthe Cause Health Issues?

Many people believe that drinking absinthe is harmful and that it can cause a variety of health issues, and even hallucinations.  In fact, the United States has now lifted the ban on this liquor.  With the lift in the ban, you can now find absinthe in many liquor stores and even grocery stores across the country, so you may now be questioning the harm that drinking a once-banned substance can do to you.

The allegations that absinthe is more harmful to drink than other forms of alcohol are unfounded.  Like any alcoholic drink, absinthe can be harmful to your health only if you drink too much.  The key, as with all things in life, is moderation.

Absinthe is made from the common herbs anise, sweet fennel, and wormwood.  The hallucinogenic effects of the spirit have been greatly exaggerated in a past attempt to boost sales.  When consuming absinthe, you will not have to worry about seeing the “Green Fairy,” which is commonly associated with the drink!

However, absinthe is not for everyone.  Not because of health reasons, but because not all people like the taste.  It has a unique flavor similar to licorice or aniseed (a common candy consumed by children in England and parts of Europe), although each of the different brands offers a slightly different taste.  If you don’t like the flavor of strong licorice, you may want to find a different drink.

Even though absinthe is not dangerous when consumed in moderation, you will want to moderate your intake just as you would with other alcoholic beverages.  Because it has a higher proof rating than many other alcohols, you may want to limit your consumption even further.  When drinking absinthe, a little common sense can go a long way.