Italian researchers say lifestyle related characteristics -- rather than alcohol -- may affect functional decline in drinkers.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, finds participants consuming moderate levels of alcohol had the lowest incidence of mobility limitation and disability.

However, after adjusting for demographic characteristics, moderate alcohol intake was still associated with reduced risk compared to never or occasional consumption, but adjusting for lifestyle related variables substantially reduced the strength of the associations.

The study of more than 3,000 adults ages 70-79 found the association between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of functional decline over time did not hold up after adjustments were made for characteristics related to lifestyle -- in particular physical activity, body weight, education and income.

Given the risk of alcohol-dependence and the health hazards associated with excessive alcohol consumption, the researchers advise caution.

"From this point of view, in our opinion, lifestyle recommendations for the prevention of disability should be based on interventions proven to be safe and effective, such as weight control and physical exercise," study author Dr. Cinzia Maraldi, of the University of Ferrara in Italy said in a statement.