Gaby
Researchers from the University of Michigan (USA) have shared some intriguing findings. Their study focused not on the occasional bottle of wine shared during a romantic date, but rather on the regular consumption of alcohol by established couples.
According to the Daily Mail, married couples who consistently drink alcoholic beverages together can expect a stronger marriage and a longer life.
What the Researchers Discovered
Professor Kira Burdett, the lead author of the study, explained that her research was inspired by a theory known as “drinking partnership.” This theory suggests that marriages are stronger and lives are longer for husbands and wives who share similar drinking habits.
Professor Burdett stated that the goal of the new research was to examine alcohol consumption in couples and its impact on mortality.
The university team analyzed data from over 4,500 married couples, including those in civil partnerships. Every two years, for two decades, the study participants answered questions posed by the researchers.
Ultimately, the scientists uncovered a fascinating pattern. Couples who drank alcohol together in the past three months lived longer compared to those who either did not drink at all or had mixed drinking habits (for example, one partner drank while the other did not).
The researchers believe that when two individuals share similar drinking behaviors, it may reflect compatibility in their lifestyle, intimacy, and satisfaction within the relationship.
“In other studies, we also found that couples who drink together tend to have better relationship quality; this likely strengthens their closeness,” noted Ms. Burdett.
However, while the findings might suggest that couples should drink more together, the researchers caution against such an interpretation. The results also indicated that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better marital outcomes and longevity for partners.
Ms. Burdett hopes that future research focusing on couples who drink together will pay more attention to their everyday lives. Scientists want to explore what husbands and wives do when they drink and when they don’t. Such insights could help clarify this connection.
The study’s results were published in the journal The Gerontologist.
