Washington, Sept 26 : A new study has suggested that drinking alcohol in moderate quantities have the potential to curb down risk of asthma.

Danish researchers found that drinking 1-6 units of alcohol a week could reduce the possibility of developing the condition.

They experimented on 19,349 twins between the ages of 12 and 41 yrs of age, who completed questionnaires at the start and end of the study to compare alcohol intake with the risk of developing asthma over 8 years.

The results showed that the lowest risk of asthma was seen in the group which had a moderate intake of alcohol, as less than 4 percent of those who drank 1-6 units per week developed asthma.

The highest risk of asthma was observed in people who drunk rarely or never, as they were 1.4-times more likely to develop the condition.

"Whilst excessive alcohol intake can cause health problems, the findings of our study suggest that a moderate intake of 1-6 units can reduce the risk of developing asthma," said Sofie Lieberoth, from the Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark.

The study was presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Amsterdam. (ANI)