Jagermeister is a popular liqueur, or sweetened, flavored liquor. It’s infused with a number of herbs, and a lot of its recipe is kept secret to keep the brand exclusive. However, it’s known that Jagermeister contains bitter orange, cloves, and star anise among other ingredients. These herbs help support the unique flavor of Jagermeister.
The liqueur was originally brewed as a “digestif,” a post-dinner alcoholic drink to help settle the stomach and help with digestion. Today, it can be found at dinner parties and college parties, and it may also offer some health benefits.
Nutrition Information
One shot of Jagermeister liqueur (1.5 ounces) contains.
- Calories: 167
- Protein: Less than 1 gram
- Fat: Less than 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 19 grams
- Fiber: Less than 1 gram
- Sugar: 19 grams
Since Jagermeister is a highly refined liquor, it consists mostly of alcohol, water, sugar, and essential oils. Most of the plant material has been removed, leaving only the volatile compounds that add flavor and scent to the alcohol. As a result, Jagermeister is a unique source of these flavor compounds but doesn’t contain significant amounts of vitamins or minerals.
Potential Health Benefits of Jagermeister
Jagermeister is a potently-flavored herbal alcohol, full of spices and herbs that may offer health benefits However, the alcohol content in Jagermeister can also create health complications for people with certain medical conditions.
For the moment, research has found a number of potential health benefits to drinking moderate amounts of alcohol like Jagermeister:
Cloves and anise include multiple compounds that are linked to anti-inflammatory properties. Eugenol is the most common of these compounds and gives cloves their distinct flavor. Studies have demonstrated that eugenol can help reduce the inflammatory response in the body, preventing negative effects. Inflammation can be uncomfortable, and it is linked to conditions like heart disease and arthritis. The clove oil found in Jagermeister may be able to reduce your risk of these conditions.
In moderation, alcohol seems to lower your risk of developing diabetes. It may also help people with diabetes control their blood sugar more effectively. One study showed that drinking up to two alcoholic drinks a day could lower your risk of diabetes by as much as 50%. This effect is most stronger with low-sugar drinks, so it’s important to avoid mixing Jagermeister with other sugary liquids to benefit from this effect.
Early research suggests that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including spirits like Jagermeister, may be linked to a lower risk of strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. In moderate amounts, alcohol appears to prevent the arteries in your brain from narrowing and putting you at higher risk for a stroke. More research needs to be done to find the exact cause of this health benefit, but current studies are promising.
Potential Risks of Jagermeister
Because Jagermeister is such a potent alcohol, you should consult with your physician before making it a part of your daily routine. Consider the following before adding significant amounts of Jagermeister to your diet:
Since a single serving of Jagermeister contains 167 calories, it’s easy to overindulge. Studies suggest that drinking high-calorie beverages, including sugary drinks and alcohol, is connected to obesity. If you choose to add Jagermeister to your diet, it may be best to drink one serving at a time and avoid mixing it with sodas or sugar-filled energy drinks.
All alcohol carries the potential for dependency. Alcohol is an addictive substance. Anyone with a family history of addiction to any substance should be careful when considering adding Jagermeister to their diet. Furthermore, most health benefits of drinking alcohol of any type drop off sharply once consumption rises above two drinks a day, making addiction a double-edge sword.
Increased Risk of Death
Drinking more than two alcoholic drinks a day raises your risk of dying from any cause. Heavy or binge drinking can reduce your life expectancy by up to 28 years.
Increased Risk of Liver Disease
People who binge drink have a higher risk of liver disease. Drinking more than two drinks a day can significantly raise your risk of developing fatty liver disease or cirrhosis.
