For years, moderate alcohol consumption was often viewed as beneficial for health, with claims that a glass of red wine could even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) has now revised its position, stating that no amount of alcohol is considered safe or beneficial.
According to the DGE’s latest position paper, alcohol is classified as a psychoactive drug and is associated with over 200 negative health outcomes, including various diseases and accidents. The organization emphasizes that there is no amount of alcohol that can be deemed safe or health-promoting. This new guidance replaces previous recommendations regarding acceptable alcohol consumption levels.
The DGE advises avoiding alcohol altogether, particularly for certain groups such as children, teenagers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. For those who choose to drink, the focus should be on avoiding large quantities, especially among young people.
The DGE’s stance is supported by a recent analysis of numerous studies on alcohol consumption and health. Researchers from the University of Victoria in Canada found that perceived health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption were often skewed due to flaws in study design. Their review of 107 long-term studies on alcohol consumption and mortality highlighted these distortions.
The DGE acknowledges that the relationship between alcohol and health is complex. While some studies have shown reduced risk for a few chronic diseases with moderate alcohol use, the overall burden of disease and mortality attributed to alcohol is significant, particularly in Europe. In 2019, the average alcohol consumption in Germany was more than twice the global average.
Alcohol consumption is linked to various issues, including developmental disorders in unborn children, accidents, injuries, violence, and psychosocial impairments affecting drinkers and their social environment. Short-term effects include impaired coordination, attention, and reaction time.
Long-term alcohol use poses serious health risks, including addiction, cancer (especially breast and colorectal cancer), cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
