Alcohol
Alcohol, or ethanol, is the intoxicating compound in beer, wine and spirits. It forms when yeast ferments sugar.
Also listed as Ethanol, Drinking, Beer, Gin
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
Is alcohol a required nutrient?
Ethanol supplies energy but is not essential. DGE replaced its former alcohol reference values with a 2024 position recommending avoidance because no risk-free intake is established. 1
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Should I start drinking for health?
DGE recommends avoiding alcohol; it does not recommend starting for health benefits. 1
What about pregnancy and breastfeeding?
DGE recommends complete avoidance in pregnancy and breastfeeding. 1
Does a nonsignificant mortality result mean alcohol is safe?
No. That analysis addresses mortality associations and cannot establish the absence of other harms. 2
Where can dependence be addressed?
Primary care and specialist alcohol services can offer assessment and treatment; support is available. 3
