Search resultsDerivation of tolerable upper alcohol intake levels in Germany: A systematic review of risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption
Title
Derivation of tolerable upper alcohol intake levels in Germany: A systematic review of risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2004
Authors
Journal
Preventive Medicine
Volume
39
Issue
1
Pagination
111 - 127
Date published
2004
ISBN
00917435 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, alcohol, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, bile duct disease, blood pressure, breast cancer, cardiovascular risk, colon cancer, coronary artery disease, Data Collection, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drinking guidelines, esophagus cancer, Ethanol, Female, fetal alcohol syndrome, gallbladder disease, Germany, high risk population, human, Humans, larynx cancer, liver disease, male, medical literature, morbidity, mortality, mouth cancer, pancreas disease, pharynx cancer, population research, priority journal, publication, rectum cancer, review, risk assessment, risk factor, stomach cancer, stroke, systematic review, Tolerable upper intake level
Abstract
Background. The objective of this study is to weigh the risks of moderate alcohol consumption against its benefits and, as a result, to derive tolerable upper alcohol intake levels (TUALs) for the German adult population. Methods. Human studies assessing the effects of moderate alcohol consumption (≤40 g/day) on coronary heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, diseases of the liver, gallbladder, bile duct, and pancreas, cancer of the mouth/pharynx/larynx/ oesophagus, stomach, colon/rectum, and breast, foetal alcohol syndrome/foetal alcohol effects, as well as all-cause mortality, published in the 10-15 years before 1999, have been systematically reviewed. The quality of studies has been evaluated using a self-constructed evaluation scheme. As a result of comparing the critical endpoints of alcohol intake related to morbidity and mortality, the TUALs have been derived. Results. The TUALs have been set at 10-12 g/day for healthy women and 20-24 g/day for healthy men of the adult population (18 years and older). Additional guidelines on alcohol use have been defined, taking into account further important aspects like alcohol consumption patterns and high-risk groups. Conclusions. The TUALs are not intended to be recommended intake levels. However, if the TUALs and the additional guidelines are followed, a relation of alcohol consumption to an increased risk of alcohol-associated diseases is unlikely for the majority of the population.