1. Acetaldehyde level in spirits from central European countries.
- Author
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Boffetta P, Kaihovaara P, Rudnai P, Znaor A, Lissowska J, Swiatkowska B, Mates D, Pandics T, and Salaspuro M
- Subjects
- Acetaldehyde adverse effects, Alcohol Drinking adverse effects, Alcoholic Beverages adverse effects, Croatia epidemiology, Ethanol adverse effects, Humans, Hungary epidemiology, Poland epidemiology, Romania epidemiology, Acetaldehyde analysis, Alcohol Drinking epidemiology, Alcoholic Beverages analysis, Ethanol analysis
- Abstract
Intake of acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages, in central Europe, might explain the high rate of alcohol-related diseases in these countries. We measured the acetaldehyde level in 30 samples of home-made spirits and 12 samples of industry-made spirits from four central European countries, including 35 fruit-based and five grain-based spirits. Acetaldehyde was detected in all fruit-based spirits and in none of the grain-based spirits. Acetaldehyde levels were above 2000 µmol/l in 12 samples, 11 of which were home-made. In a multivariate analysis restricted to fruit-based spirits, however, the difference between home-made and industry-based spirits was not statistically significant. These results add evidence to the hypothesis that intake of acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages, in central Europe, contributes to the burden of alcohol-related disease, especially that of upper digestive tract cancers. The acetaldehyde level should be monitored and high-level exposure should be avoided.
- Published
- 2011
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