A study has brought to the fore the fact that healthy, wealthy and fit people over 50 years of age are more likely to engage in harmful drinking. The results of the study were published in the journal BMJ, this Thursday.

The study used data from the Longitudinal Survey of about 9,000 adults 50 years or older, from years 2010 to 2011. The researchers asked the subjects as to how much spirits, wine and beer they drank every week. In addition, information on the income, educational level, health, marital status and other factors, was also sought. This data collected was compared against British drinking guidelines.

The study revealed that the practice of binge drinking, which is defined as consuming five or more drinks in two hours, spanned across all age groups. However, it was most prevalent among 18- to 24-year-olds, who drank the most, on an average some 9.3 drinks on a single occasion.

In addition, those with a higher income tended to drink too much, as also those with a higher education level. Subjects, who were on the young end of the above-50 age group, were also more likely to be risky drinkers. In the healthy, wealthy and fir category, the consumption was some 50 shots of hard liquor for men and 35 for women in a week. In fact, men who did not eat healthy and women who are retired, were also at higher risk.

On an average, however, people drank no more than 21 units of alcohol per week for men and 14 units for women.