Scientists link finger length to boozy habits – An inebriated woman trying to put a plaster on after hurting herself while trying to check the length of her fingers.
Credit: Shutterstock, Nicoleta Ionescu
A quirky new study has uncovered a link between finger length and alcohol consumption, pointing to hormones you were exposed to before you were even born.
Let’s be honest, Christmas means three things to many PPB – presents, partying, and booze. From boozy work lunches to festive family gatherings, drinking is part of the fun. But before you pour another glass, take a look at your fingers – they might reveal the secret to your drinking habits!
The long and short of it
Researchers at Swansea University have found that people with longer ring fingers compared to their index fingers tend to drink more. The bizarre connection, they say, may be rooted in hormones like testosterone and oestrogen that shaped your digits while you were still in the womb.
According to Professor John Manning from the university’s A-STEM research team:
“Digit ratio (2D:4D: the relative lengths of the 2nd [index] and 4th [ring] fingers) is thought to be an index of early testosterone (long 4th digit) and oestrogen (long 2nd digit).”
Those with higher exposure to testosterone before birth are more likely to have ring fingers that dwarf their index fingers, while higher oestrogen levels have the opposite effect. And if your digits are roughly the same length? Congratulations, you’re part of the balanced brigade.
How they tested their theory
To test the theory, 258 students (including 169 women) had their finger ratios measured and drinking habits logged. The findings revealed that longer ring fingers were associated with higher booze consumption. While the effect was noticeable in both sexes, men showed a stronger link than women.
“It is known that alcohol-dependent patients have very long 4th digits relative to their 2nd digits, suggesting high testosterone exposure before birth,” said Professor Manning.
But hold your horses – or your beer. This discovery doesn’t mean your finger ratio causes you to reach for the bottle. Instead, it’s an intriguing clue that hormones may play a role in shaping tendencies to drink.
Pouring new light on the problem
Alcohol is a major social and economic issue, and understanding why some people are more prone to drinking could help tackle the problem, where there is one, researchers hope.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Human Biology, may not lead to a finger test at the pub anytime soon.
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