Reading the future in the lines of your hands is not something that attracts you? That’s good, your handcuffs can also serve as an indicator regarding your alcohol consumption habits. They will not tell you the number of glasses you can investigate, but the length of your fingers can deliver a secret from before your birth.
A study published on November 11, 2024, relayed by Study Finds, indicates that the ratio between the length of your index and that of your annular can reveal the amount of alcohol that you are likely to consume. Scientists call it “Manning index” (or “2D index: 4D”, 2D corresponding to the length of the index and 4D of the annular).
This very surprising report stems from the amount of testosterone and estrogens to which we were exposed in the uterus. People who have been exposed to high levels of testosterone before their birth generally have a low 2D: 4D index. In other words, their annular is longer than their index. Conversely, people exposed to more estrogens have a higher index, therefore a longer index than the annular.
The research team, from which members come from the University of Swansea (United Kingdom) and the University of Medicine of łódź (Poland), noted that people with a low 2D: 4D (annular longer than Indix) were more likely to consume alcohol and presented higher risks of disorders of this consumption).
Prenatal hormonal exposure, a better indicator than size or weight
To carry out their research, scientists have measured the fingers of 258 students. Then, from the Alcohol questionnaire uses Disorders Identification Test (Audit) developed by the World Health Organization, they evaluated the alcohol consumption habits of each. The results reveal that students with a low 2D clue: 4D consume more alcohol and have a higher score in the audit test (the higher the scoring, the more the risk of alcohol dependence). In a press release, the research co -author, John Manning, writes: “We know that alcoholic patients have a very long 4D compared to 2D, which indicates prenatal exposure high to testosterone. As you would expect, this index was stronger in men than in women. ”
If researchers have also examined other characteristics such as size and weight, they consider that prenatal hormonal exposure would be more influential in determining alcohol consumption. However, they indicate that a low 2D: 4D index does not characterize a person as a consumer of problematic alcohol, and vice versa. Many factors, including the environment and personal choices, influence consumption: “Alcohol is a major social and economic problem. It is important to understand why it presents considerable differences from one individual to another ”, explains John Manning.
In addition to being very useful on a daily basis, the hands continue to surprise us. If your fingers help you see more clearly in your consumption habits, they do not determine your decisions. If in doubt about your alcohol report, the audit questionnaire is available online, and sites like alcohol Info Service are accessible to learn and if necessary, ask for help.
