Alcohol and Health: The German Nutrition Society’s Latest Position

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) has published its latest position on alcohol consumption, concluding that no level of alcohol intake benefits health. Their recommendations align with the growing global consensus that the safest approach is abstinence.

Alcohol remains a leading cause of disease and mortality in Europe. It is classified as psychoactive, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, and carcinogenic, linked to over 200 diseases and injuries. In the WHO Europe region, alcohol is responsible for around 1 in every 8 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and over 2,500 deaths each day.

In Germany, consumption remains approximately twice the global average, with 20% of adults engaging in harmful drinking and heavy episodic drinking affecting a third of the population.

Rethinking “Moderate Drinking”

While some earlier studies suggested potential protective effects for certain cardiovascular conditions, these findings are increasingly challenged by methodological flaws such as self-reporting biases and misclassification of former heavy drinkers as abstainers.

Large-scale analyses demonstrate that health risks begin to rise at 45–65 g of alcohol per day, with clear risk increases beyond 65 g per day. According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, the optimal intake for minimizing health harm is zero grams per day.

Revised Low-Risk Guidelines

The DGE draws on the Canadian guidelines and GBD findings to define risk levels:

Risk Level	Drinks per Week (approx.)
Low risk	≤2 drinks (<27 g)
Moderate risk	3–6 drinks (27–81 g)
High risk	>6 drinks (>81 g)

These recommendations are significantly stricter than previous standards, particularly for men.

Specific Population Guidance

• Children and adolescents: Alcohol affects brain development, increasing risks for dependency and cognitive impairment. Total abstinence is advised.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Alcohol crosses the placenta and is present in breastmilk. Zero intake is recommended.

• People with chronic illnesses or on medication: Alcohol can exacerbate existing conditions or interact adversely with treatment.

  
  

Societal and Economic Costs

Alcohol use extends beyond individual health risks. In Germany, annual costs are estimated at €57 billion, accounting for lost productivity, accidents, healthcare burdens, and wider societal impacts including violence and family disruption.

Policy Recommendations

The DGE emphasises a dual prevention approach:

1. Behavioural measures: Education, screening, and counselling.

2. Population-level measures: Increased taxation, tighter availability controls, stricter advertising restrictions, and clear warning labels.

   
   

Germany currently lags behind international best practices on alcohol policy implementation.

Key Recommendations from the DGE on Alcohol and Health

• Abstinence is ideal for health.

• If consumed:

  • Limit intake to no more than 1–2 drinks per week (<27 g).

  • Avoid heavy or binge drinking entirely.

• Complete abstinence is essential for children, adolescents, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with certain medical conditions or on medication.

Alcohol is not a benign substance. The DGE’s 2024 position paper reinforces the evidence that reducing consumption – ideally to zero – significantly lowers health risks. These recommendations reflect the most current scientific evaluation in Germany and align with global public health priorities.

Stay Sober. Stay Cool.

High Sobriety Club

Note

Ernährungs Umschau is Germany’s leading peer-reviewed journal for nutrition professionals. This position statement was produced by the German Nutrition Society (DGE), the country’s official scientific association for nutrition, whose recommendations guide healthcare practice and policy.

The paper, “Alcohol consumption in Germany, health and social consequences and derivation of recommendations for action,” was published in Ernährungs Umschau, October 2024 (vol. 71, issue 10, pp. 125–139 + eSupplement).

• Manuscript submitted: April 15, 2024

• Publication date: October 2024

This reflects the current official guidance from the DGE as of late 2024.

Source: Ernährungs Umschau, October 2024.