A raw sketch has pointed to a unknown correlation coefficient with a person ’s drinking habit : the proportion of their fourth dactyl ( sometimes called the band fingerbreadth ) to the 2d digit . Specifically , scientists found a relationship between have a ring finger that is longer than the second digit and highalcoholconsumption .

The ratio of our finger’s breadth lengths is something that ’s set before birthing , in part influenced by the hormones we are exposed to in the womb . People exposed to moreestrogentend to have second digits longer than their anchor ring fingerbreadth , while those exposed to moretestosteronecan have ring fingers longer than their second dactyl . There are also people whose ringing finger and second fingerbreadth are the same length .

“ A design like this suggest an participation of sex internal secretion , such as testosterone and oestrogen , ” state Professor John Manning , of Swansea University ’s Applied Sports , Technology , Exercise and Medicine ( A - STEM ) research squad in astatement . “ Digit proportion ( 2D:4D : the comparative length of the 2d [ index ] and 4th [ ring ] fingers ) is thought to be an index of former testosterone ( long fourth finger ) and oestrogen ( farsighted 2d finger’s breadth ) . ”

“ It is bed that alcohol - qualified affected role have very long 4th dactyl proportional to their second digit , suggesting eminent testosterone relative to oestrogen photo before birth . As expected , the association were strong for men than women . ”

It ’s deserving pointing out that the affiliation ca n’t demonstrate cause and consequence , so having a certain finger ratio does n’t dictate a person ’s outcome – but it ’s hop that identifying the connexion could shine a light on factor underlie alcoholic beverage use .

“ intoxicant consumption is a major social and economical trouble , ” say Manning . “ Therefore , it is important to understand why intoxicant economic consumption shows considerable differences across individuals . ”

The study is published in theAmerican Journal Of Human Biology .