A new study, which may seem like a farce, takes a look at James Bond as a case study for alcoholism, reports CNN.  Scientists wanted to examine just how much alcohol the famous fictional secret agent consumes, and what effect that could have on his health.  British researchers predict he could die from alcohol-related causes, such as liver damage, by age 56.

The article, published in the British Medical Journal, gathered data by reading all 14 James Bond novels.  They took notes on every alcohol drink taken and used standardized estimates of alcohol content to determine consumption.  Out of 87.5 days covered in the books in which he was able to drink, the well-known agent only had 12.5 days that were alcohol-free.

A unit of alcohol is defined as 10 milliliters or 8 grams of pure ethanol in the United Kingdom. For some perspective on that, a bottle of wine is nine units, and a pint of beer is three, according to this study.  Over that time, he averaged 92 units of alcohol per week and his highest daily consumption was 49.8 units.  Researchers note that Bond’s weekly alcohol consumption total is more than four times what doctors recommend.  It is also likely a low estimate, since people generally underestimate their alcohol consumption and there may be more consumption happening outside of what is described in the books.

As a result of their investigation, the researchers conclude that James Bond’s level of alcohol intake puts him at high risk of multiple alcohol related diseases and an early death. They comment that the level of functioning as displayed in the books is inconsistent with the physical, mental, and sexual functioning, or lack thereof, that would be expected from someone drinking this much alcohol.  A real person would not be able to carry out such complicated tasks and function as well as Bond does while maintaining such habits, they conclude.  Researchers also remark that Bond’s catchphrase, “shaken, not stirred” could be because of alcohol-induced tremor affecting his hands.

Excess alcohol consumption is a societal and health problem throughout the world. Around 4% of deaths worldwide are related to alcohol, with 2.5 million deaths a year attributable to its use. Death is most commonly caused by injury, liver cirrhosis, poisoning, and malignancy. In the entertainment world, however, excess alcohol consumption is often portrayed in a positive, even glamorous, light.  James Bond is famous for always having a drink in his hand, making him a fitting case study for this project.