A new research has claimed that moderate drinkers are less prone to rheumatoid arthritis and the illness develops slower.

Swiss scientists conducted study on 2,900 adults suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and discovered that light to moderate drinkers showed slower development in their joint damage as compared with non-drinkers but heavy drinkers showed a greater progression of the illness.

The study results, reported in the Arthritis and Rheumatism Journal, are based on x-ray proof of patients' joint damage and its progression over an average of four years.

Although the difference would not be apparent in day to day life, researcher Axel Finckh said if the slower progression was maintained over decades it could make a significant improvement to people's health.

The research, conducted at the University Hospital of Geneva, ties in with previous animal study that suggests that alcohol intake may suppress arthritis by reducing swelling.

Finckh said further researches need to be conducted to prove whether moderate drinking by itself slows the progression rheumatoid arthritis.

Even then sufferers would not be suggested to take up drinking, he stressed.

The research also discovered that the link between drinking and joint damage progression was stronger among males as compared to females.

Finckh said the gender bias was unexpected, but said one possibility behind it could be the overall difference in alcohol quantity between males and females.

Around 27% of the male participants in the research said they drank once per day, compared with only 14% of females.

The study results also suggest individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who already drink moderately should not be urged to stop. (With Inputs from Agencies)