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A study published in the American Journal of Human Biology uncovers a surprising link between the length of your fingers and your drinking habits. Researchers explored the “2D:4D ratio,” the proportion between the index finger (2D) and ring finger (4D), which is influenced by prenatal exposure to hormones like testosterone and estrogen.  

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The findings offer insights into how prenatal hormone exposure may shape behavioural tendencies, including alcohol consumption patterns. This groundbreaking research adds another layer to the fascinating interplay between biology and behaviour, offering a unique perspective on how our prenatal environment influences our lives.

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Hormonal influence on finger length

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The study explains that individuals exposed to higher testosterone levels in the womb tend to have a lower 2D:4D ratio, where the ring finger is longer than the index finger. Conversely, higher exposure to estrogen results in a higher 2D:4D ratio, with the index finger being longer.  

Research details 

The study involved 258 university students, including 169 women and 89 men, with an average age of 22 years. Researchers measured finger lengths using callipers. Participants also completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a standardised questionnaire by the World Health Organisation to assess alcohol consumption and risky drinking behaviours.  

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Key findings: Testosterone and alcohol consumption

Scientists from Swansea University and the Medical University of Lodz in Poland discovered that individuals with lower 2D:4D ratios, a marker of higher prenatal testosterone exposure, were more inclined to consume alcohol and exhibited an increased risk of problematic drinking behaviours.

This trend was observed in both men and women but was particularly significant in men, where the correlation showed a “large effect size,” highlighting its substantial nature.

(With inputs from agencies)