Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A recent study from the University of Michigan suggests that couples who share similar drinking habits tend to live longer than those who don't.
Researchers analysed data from over 9,000 heterosexuals, married, or cohabiting couples to draw their conclusions.
The study found that couples who both drank moderately lived longer compared to couples where one partner drank heavily or neither drank.
Despite the findings, researchers caution against interpreting this as encouragement to drink more, emphasizing the importance of moderation.
The exact reason for the link between shared drinking habits and longevity remains unclear, but researchers highlight the influence of couples' lifestyles on each other's health.
Kira Birditt, a research professor at U-M Institute for Social Research's Survey Research Centre, explains the inspiration behind the study and the theory of "the drinking partnership."
While previous research has examined the implications of couples' drinking patterns for marital outcomes, the study sheds light on its potential impact on health and longevity.
The study is limited to heterosexual couples and doesn't consider the type of alcohol consumed, prompting the need for further research on couples in same-sex relationships and the role of alcohol type.