Anecdotally, people cite high abv alcohol consumption for having a preserving effect on living body. I imagine it being like a variety of chemotherapy. By that I mean specifically not drinking a mixed drinks, but drinking nothing but straight vodka and water for a whole day or multiple, while maybe eating some pickles. It shifts body metabolism from sugars and fats to mostly alcohol and protein. It's not as tough as it sounds, given that, again anecdotally, many Slavic and Finnish people do so casually.
