London, Nov 19 Here's a shocker: Supping large amounts of booze is good for the heart - but only when it comes to men.

The study, which monitored more than 41,000 people aged between 29 and 69, showed that drinking alcohol could cut the risk of heart disease by almost a third in men.

However, the study found no significant effect in women, reports The Times.

Spanish researchers questioned participants in the study on their lifetime drinking habits, and how much they had consumed in the 12 months leading up to the study.

Respondents were classed as those who had never consumed alcohol, former drinkers, low drinkers, moderate drinkers, high drinkers and very high drinkers.

The number of coronary problems suffered over a ten-year period was then recorded and categorised according to alcohol consumption.

The results showed moderate male drinkers could cut their risk by 51 per cent, high drinkers by 54 per cent and very high drinks by 50 per cent.

Health campaigners have however warned that the findings should be treated with caution.

They say that heavy drinking can damage other organs, and cause premature death.

Robert Sutton, professor of surgery at the University of Liverpool, said the study had 'several flaws' and should not be taken to suggest that high alcohol consumption can improve health.

He said the finding that there was no relationship between alcohol and heart disease in women was "highly unusual" and suggested the need for more research.

The study was published in the journal Heart. (ANI)