Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that has been identified as a causal factor in more than 200 adverse health outcomes, including diseases and accidents. However, the relationship between alcohol consumption and health is complex. There is evidence that alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of developing a few chronic diseases.
The findings indicate that no quantity of alcohol can be considered health-promoting and safe for consumption. Accordingly, the DGE recommends avoiding consuming alcoholic beverages.
For individuals who consume alcoholic beverages, it is advisable to avoid excessive intake. This is particularly pertinent to young people. Children, adolescents, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should generally avoid consuming alcohol. In consideration of estimates of the amount of alcohol required to minimise the risk of adverse health consequences, the DGE also derives recommendations for action on alcohol consumption.
In Germany, further behavioural and population-based prevention efforts are needed to reduce alcohol consumption, related health and social problems, and alcohol-related mortality.
The DGE position statement on alcohol replaces the reference value for alcohol intake previously published by the DGE.

Figure 1: Risk of negative health consequences in relation to alcohol consumption
Copyright: DGE
Free access to the position statement and eSupplement
DOI 10.4455/eu.2024.033
Source: https://iuns.org/2025/12/german-nutriti ... or-action/

