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Bonn There is no risk-free amount for safe consumption of alcohol. Even small amounts can increase the risk of various diseases and thus endanger health. This is the conclusion reached by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) in a new position paper on the subject of alcohol.

For a long time, alcohol was considered acceptable in moderation. An evening glass of beer or wine was associated with a slightly lower risk of mortality, which is known as the French Paradox. However, according to the DGE, this is incorrect.

The results show that there is no potentially health-promoting and safe amount of alcohol for safe consumption. The DGE therefore recommends avoiding alcoholic beverages, the paper says.

Anyone who still drinks alcohol should avoid large amounts and binge drinking. This applies especially to young people. Children, adolescents, pregnant women and breastfeeding women should generally avoid alcohol, stressed Kiran Virmani, Managing Director of the DGE.

The professional association points out that the average amount of alcohol consumed in Germany is more than twice as high as the average worldwide consumption of 5.5 liters of alcohol per capita per year, namely 12.2 liters.

Alcohol is linked to more than 200 different negative health effects such as illnesses and accidents. With seven kilocalories per gram, the energy content of alcohol is almost as high as that of fat with nine kilocalories per gram.

Alcohol consumption in Germany also causes considerable social costs of around 57 billion euros per year.

The treatment of alcohol-related illnesses, incapacity for work and rehabilitation accounted for 16.6 billion euros, while personal injury and property damage, incapacity for work, early retirement and the like accounted for around 40 billion euros.

The high alcohol consumption contributes to the fact that the life expectancy of people in Germany is lower than in other high-income countries, according to the DGE. © hil/aerzteblatt.de