Alcoholic beverages

The global trend shows a slight decline in average per capita consumption. Interestingly, this does not mean that alcohol consumption is becoming less important - rather, the focus is shifting towards more conscious and higher-quality consumption. More and more consumers today are focussing on sustainable enjoyment and the purchase of premium products instead of frequent, massive consumption episodes. This change not only reflects increased health awareness, but also the desire for pleasurable experiences.

The regional differences in alcohol consumption are also interesting. Consumption patterns vary greatly depending on cultural and social background. While regular, moderate consumption is part of everyday life in some cultures, the phenomenon of binge drinking poses a serious risk in other regions. Traditional forms of consumption and modern trends characterise today's drinking behaviour.

Some studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption (especially red wine) may be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is emphasised that these observations may be influenced by other health-promoting lifestyle factors.

Risks and side effects:

• Increased risk of cancer: even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of certain cancers (e.g. breast or liver cancer).
• Liver damage: Chronic, heavy consumption often leads to liver damage, including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.
• Addictive potential and social consequences: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to addiction, social misbehaviour and significant economic burdens.

The "safe drinking" debate:
The previous assumptions that low consumption provided health benefits are being increasingly scrutinised. Many experts agree that there is no completely safe level and that health risks cannot be completely ruled out even with moderate consumption.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 2.6 million people died as a result of alcohol consumption in 2024. An estimated 400 million people worldwide live with an alcohol use disorder, 209 million of whom are alcohol dependent.

In addition, the mortality rate per litre of alcohol consumed is higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries.

Source: https://www.who.int/news/item/25-06-2024-over-3-million-annual-deaths-due-to-alcohol-and-drug-use-majority-among-men

In Germany, an average of 99.7 litres of beer, 20.1 litres of wine and 5.3 litres of spirits were consumed per capita in 2019. This means that beer accounts for the largest share of alcoholic beverages.

According to the WHO's 2018 country ranking, Germany is in the top third with a per capita consumption of around 10.9 litres of pure alcohol per year! In an international comparison, Germany therefore occupies a rather inglorious place in the top 10. For more information, we recommend consulting the WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health directly.

Alcohol consumption - measured in litres of pure alcohol per year per adult H3

1. Belarus - approx. 14.4 litres
2 Moldova - approx. 12.9 litres
3. Lithuania - approx. 12.9 litres
4. Russia - approx. 11.7 litres
5. the Czech Republic - approx. 11.1 litres
6. Germany -approx. 10.9 litres
7. Romania - approx. 10.8 litres
8. Serbia - approx. 10.5 litres
9th Ukraine - approx. 10.3 litres
10. Bulgaria - approx. 10.1 litres
11. Croatia - approx. 10.0 litres
12. Hungary - approx. 9.9 litres
13th Slovakia - approx. 9.8 litres
14 Latvia - approx. 9.7 litres
15. Estonia - approx. 9.6 litres
16th Poland - approx. 9.5 litres
17. Slovenia - approx. 9.4 litres
18. Austria - approx. 9.3 litres
19. Finland - approx. 9.2 litres
20. united Kingdom - approx. 9.1 litres
21. Ireland - approx. 9.0 litres

It is noticeable that these are exclusively European and Eastern European countries.

Asia and Africa:
In many countries in these regions, the average alcohol consumption is often less than 5 litres per capita per year. Religious beliefs and traditional drinking habits often result in a considerably more moderate approach to alcohol here.

America and Oceania:
While some countries in North America or Oceania (e.g. the USA, Canada or Australia) have moderate consumption figures in the range of around 8 to 9 litres per capita per year, here too only a few countries achieve figures that can keep up with the highest European consumption figures.

The catering industry had to close!

Although figures are not yet available, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed drinking habits on a global and regional level: While public drinking habits declined, private alcohol consumption increased in certain population groups, mainly due to increased stress levels and changes in everyday situations. Initial studies, including by organisations such as the WHO and national health authorities, indicate that drinking behaviour has changed permanently. The exact figures vary, but many studies point to a moderate increase in domestic consumption.

• Quality instead of quantity:
  There is a clear trend towards more conscious enjoyment - the focus is on high-quality products and enjoyable but controlled drinking behaviour.

• Ongoing research:
  New studies are continuously investigating how small amounts of alcohol affect health in the long term and what role individual differences play in this.

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) generally recommends avoiding alcohol. However, it also specifies a tolerable maximum amount. This is described more precisely as a maximum daily consumption of 20 grams of pure alcohol for men and 10 grams for women.

Examples:
If we look at the different types of alcohol, this corresponds to these quantities:

Men (20gr):

• 1 bottle of beer (500ml x (5% /100) x 0.8 = 20 grams of alcohol)
• 1 glass of wine (200ml x (12% /100) x 0.8 = 19.2 grams)
• 3 drams of whisky (60ml x (40% /100) x 0.8 = 19.2 gr)

Women (10gr):

• ½ bottle of beer (250ml x (5% /100) x 0.8 = 10gr)
• ½ glass of wine (100ml x (12% /100%) x 0.8 = 9.6 gr)
• 1 ½ dram of whisky (30ml x (40% /100) x 0.8 = 9.6 gr)

Individual factors:
Age, gender, genetic predisposition and existing health problems play an important role in the tolerance of alcohol. A personal consultation with a medical specialist is therefore strongly recommended.

The variety of alcoholic drinks ranges from classics to modern creations. They can basically be divided into three main categories:

• Beer: A traditional "thirst quencher" that is available in numerous varieties such as pilsner, wheat or craft beer.
• Wine: Elegant and diverse - from sparkling white wines to full-bodied red wines and sparkling wines.
• Spirits: High-proof spirits, including classic Whisky, Rum, Ginand many other specialities.

Whisky is a spirit and usually has an alcohol content of 40 to 50 per cent by volume. A minimum alcohol content of 40% is prescribed by law. Some special types, such as cask strength whisky, can have an even higher alcohol content and offer the connoisseur a more intense flavour experience. The alcohol content plays an important role: it not only influences the flavour, but also the variety of aromas and the perception of the finish. When enjoying whisky, it is therefore advisable to keep an eye on your individual optimum consumption and to try out new varieties with different alcohol contents.