STUDY: COUPLES WHO DRINK TOGETHER LIVE LONGER

Matt Case - April 9th, 2024 - 6:48am PDT 

University of Michigan Study Suggests Drinking Together May Benefit Couples' Longevity

Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that couples who drink alcohol together tend to live longer than those with differing drinking habits or who abstain entirely. The study examined over 4,500 couples, either married or cohabiting, tracking their habits and health outcomes over two decades.

Dubbed "the drinking partnership" theory, the research suggests that shared alcohol consumption habits can reduce conflict and contribute to longer-lasting relationships. While the primary focus was on the health impacts rather than marital success, findings indicated that couples engaging in light drinking together experienced better survival rates compared to those who drank heavily or not at all.

However, the researchers caution against interpreting these results as encouragement to increase alcohol consumption. The study's lead author, Kira Birditt, emphasizes that while certain behaviors may enhance marital satisfaction, they are not universally beneficial for health. The correlation between shared drinking habits and longevity highlights potential compatibility in lifestyle choices, intimacy, and overall relationship contentment.