title: Derivation of tolerable upper alcohol intake levels in Germany: a systematic review of risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
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 (< or = 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Reporting, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany. BurgerM@rki.de
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brönstrup
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pietrzik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003625:Data Collection; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol