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# Study Finds James Bond Was Likely an ‘Impotent Drunk’

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/OFOz8h3G.m3u8" -->
## Video: Study Finds James Bond Was Likely an ‘Impotent Drunk’

[Watch (HLS stream): Study Finds James Bond Was Likely an ‘Impotent Drunk’](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/OFOz8h3G.m3u8) (1:30)

![Study Finds James Bond Was Likely an ‘Impotent Drunk’](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OFOz8h3G/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2013-12-13. Researchers in Britain conducted a study on the number of drinks the fictional spy consumed during each of author Ian Fleming’s 14 novels and the findings are alarming._


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Jul 27, 2023 4:01 PM UTC

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---


## Transcript

James Bond famously likes his vodka martinis shaken, not stirred. But is he drinking too many of them? Researchers in Britain conducted a study on the number of drinks the fictional spy consumes during each of author Ian Fleming's 14 novels. The results showed 007 would have been more than a little tipsy. It likely would have been very difficult for him to do that whole secret agent thing. The study published in the December edition of BMJ found Bond consumed an average of 92 units of alcohol per week, more than four times the recommended weekly intake for him. All that drinking left him with a life expectancy of just 56.

The most Bond ever drank in a single day was around 50 units during From Russia With Love. That's just less than five bottles of wine in one day. The study said Bond's concerning drinking habits would place him among the highest risk group for malignancies, depression, hypertension, and cirrhosis. Add to that, he likely would have had alcohol induced tremors, making say, diffusing a bomb, a difficult proposition. Also unrealistic, Bond's legendary sex life. The researchers concluded Bond would likely be impotent. Well, all this binge drinking is largely consequence for in the books and films, that obviously would be less so in real like.

Bond author Ian Fleming also frequently drank and smoked, he passed away aged just 56 of heart disease. The researchers were quick to note the lighthearted study did not interfere with their regular research, but the messages sent about alcohol consumption is very real. So maybe cut back on the martinis, huh, James? For TIME, I'm Lauren Gores.

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