The length of your finger could reveal your drinking habits, scientists find

Study shows longer ring fingers are linked to higher alcohol consumption

Prenatal testosterone exposure, reflected in the 2D:4D digit ratio, may influence alcohol consumption behavior.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Biology found a connection between finger length ratios and alcohol consumption habits. According to The Independent, researchers at Swansea University found that people whose ring fingers are longer than their index fingers are more likely to drink heavily.

The study involved 258 university students, including 169 girls and 89 boys, with an average age of 22 years. Researchers measured participants’ finger lengths using calipers and assessed their alcohol consumption patterns using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a standardized questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization.

The focus was on the ratio of ring finger to index finger lengths, known as the “2D:4D finger ratio” or “digit ratio,” which is influenced by prenatal exposure to sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, noted by HuffPost. A lower 2D:4D ratio indicates higher prenatal testosterone levels, which are associated with increased alcohol consumption.

Participants with longer ring fingers compared to their index fingers had higher alcohol consumption and higher AUDIT scores, with a significant correlation observed in both men and women, The Independent reported. In men, the correlation was stronger, particularly in the right hand.

“Alcohol consumption poses a significant social and economic challenge. To address the problem, it is crucial to understand the reasons for individual differences in consumption habits,” said Professor John Manning from Swansea University.

46% of male participants were in the “lower category” of finger length ratio compared to 75% of female participants.

“This ratio is considered a biomarker indicating the balance of testosterone and estrogen during fetal development,” explained Professor Manning.

The researchers emphasize that physiological markers formed during prenatal development represent a key to understanding many aspects of human behavior.

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Professor Manning highlighted the importance of understanding individual differences in alcohol consumption and the potential for developing new prevention methods to reduce the risk of addiction.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq

The length of your finger could reveal your drinking habits, scientists find

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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